Low-grade astrocytoma: Does it require treatment?

My husband has been diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma. When does this require treatment? His only symptoms are frequent headaches, which are manageable with pain medications. Is it OK to just leave the tumor where it is until it causes additional symptoms, or should he have it removed as soon as possible?

- No name / Minnesota

Answer

An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor (glioma). There are three treatment options for a low-grade astrocytoma:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiation therapy to shrink the tumor
• Observing the tumor to monitor changes until treatment is necessary

Tumor location plays a key role in determining treatment. If the tumor is in a sensitive area, surgery may not be a good option since it may cause significant and permanent brain damage.

Usually, in cases where the tumor can be safely removed, surgery is considered to be the best treatment option. If your husband's tumor cannot be safely removed, his doctor might suggest radiation treatment to the area of the brain where the tumor is located. Or if the tumor has yet to cause any serious health problems, such as seizures, blurred vision, hearing difficulties, or loss of balance and coordination, your husband's doctor may keep monitoring the tumor until further treatment becomes necessary.

While chemotherapy may be effective for other types of tumors, including other, more aggressive types of brain tumors, doctors usually don't recommend it as a treatment for low-grade astrocytomas. Researchers are studying whether it could be effective in treating the condition, but it's still not considered standard care.

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