Low-Grade Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma

Initial treatment for low grade cerebral astrocytoma depends on the location of the tumor. When the tumor is completely removed by surgery, more treatment may not be needed. The child is then closely observed for symptoms to appear or change. This is called watchful waiting. When the tumor is located deep inside the brain, surgery may not be possible. Biopsy followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used instead.

When cancer cells remain after surgery, treatment depends on the location of the remaining cancer cells and the age of the child. Treatment may include the following:

• Watchful waiting.
• Another surgery to remove the tumor.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.

One of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for low grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma is combination chemotherapy.

Information about this and other ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with low-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma.

High-Grade Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma

Standard treatment of high grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for high grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include the following:

• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy to delay or reduce the use of radiation therapy for children younger than 3 years of age.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy.
• A clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy during and after radiation therapy.

Information about these and other ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with high-grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma.

Recurrent Childhood Cerebral Astrocytoma

Standard treatment of recurrent low grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include the following:

• Combination chemotherapy.
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
• Surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for recurrent low grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include new ways of giving radiation.

Standard treatment of recurrent high grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma may include biopsy or surgery.

Some of the treatments being studied in clinical trials for recurrent high grade childhood cerebral astrocytoma include the following:

• A clinical trial of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant.
• A clinical trial of a new therapy.

Information about these and other ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.

Check for clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent childhood cerebral astrocytoma.