User:DerekvG/sandbox/braintumor/pleom xanta

'Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma is a neoplasm of the brain that occurs often in children and teenagers. They usually arise supratentorial and superficially from the cerebral hemispheres (upper most sections) of the brain and in contact with the leptomeninges, rarely they arise from the spinal cord. They are formed through the mitosis of astrocytes. The neoplasms are found in the area of the temples, frontal or on top of the parietal lobe, in about 20% of cases more than one lobe was involved.

These tumors are usually slow growing, the neoplasms are associated with the sudden onset of seizures. Very rarely, these tumors undergo transformation to a more malignant tumor. Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma is, in general, considered a benign tumor. It will show up as a contrast-enhancing tumor by current imaging investigations (e.g., CT scan, MRI). It is classified as Grade 1 Astrocytoma.

Symptoms
Children affected by Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma can present different symptoms that might include headache, or seizures. The complaints may vary and present to the doctor symptoms that have been occurring for many months, often linked with more common diseases. Some children however, will present a sudden onset of symptoms, especially those with seizures.

Occurence
At Boston Childrens Hospital the average age at diagnosis is 12 years.

Diagnosis
Usually - depending on the interview of the patient and after a clinical exam which includes a neurological exam, an EEG for children experiencing seizures (through a continuous EEG recording of the brain's electrical activity in order to identify and localize seizure activity). A CT scan of the brain and or MRI scan of the brain and the spine will be performed. A special dye may be injected into a vein before these scans to provide contrast and make tumors easier to identify. The neoplasm will clearly visible, A biopsy of the tumor taken through a needle during a simple surgical procedure helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Visual aspect
Following quote from an article found on Biomedsearch.com tells us what Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma look like on CT-scan en MRI images : ''On CT without contrast enhancement, PXA was an iso- or hypoattenuating mass, and calcification was seen in six tumors and inner table remodeling was seen in three patients younger than 12 years. On MR, the solid component of PXA was isointense relative to gray matter on T1-weighted images, hyperintense on T2-weighted images in more than 90% and enhanced intensely following intravenous contrast material administration. Cystic areas showed hyperintensity relative to CSF. Two imaging patterns were differentiated: first a cystic mass containing a mural nodule (70%) and second a predominantly solid mass that may show cystic changes (30%). CONCLUSION: The most consistent imaging features of PXA were a superficial location, leptomeningeal contact, and enhancement of the solid component. Apart from the classical PXA appearance of a cystic lesion with an enhancing mural nodule, a second pattern consisting of a predominantly solid mass was recognized.'',.

Treatment
Surgery is often the treatment of choice, total resection is often possible, the medical team will advise on treatment depending on factors such as:
 * medical history and overall health condition
 * type, location, and size of the neoplasm
 * age and tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapy
 * expected progress of the neoplasm

Treatment of the tumor after complete ressection may not be required, other than serial MRIs to monitor for tumor re-growth. For tumors that recur, another surgical ressection might be attempt. For tumors that could not be completely removed radiation therapy - may also be recommended by your medical team, using high-energy radiation to damage or kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

Side effects
Children with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas may experience side effects related to the tumor itself and related to the treatment.
 * Symptoms related to increased pressure in the brain often disappear after surgical removal of the tumor.
 * Effects like seizures might progressively improve as recovery progresses.
 * Steroid-treatment is often used to control tissue swelling that may occur pre- and post-operatively.

epileptic seizures
Children with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas may experience seizures as a symptom of their desease, but any person undergoing brain surgery is at risk from epileptic seizures. Parents of children after surgery should be made aware of this fact and should be prepared to take adequate action in case of the seizure (see brain tumor)
 * Medication is administered to minimize and eliminate (completely) the occurence of seizures.

radiation therapy
Radiation therapy may cause swelling related to tissue inflammation.
 * This inflammation may lead to symptoms like headaches and may be treated with oral medication.

expected outcome after treatment
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are associated with a high rate of cure. (Boston childrens hospital
 * Grade I pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are not associated wit reccurance after complete ressection.
 * Grade II pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are known to progress towards a grade II neoplasm which are more likely to recur after surgical removal.
 * Grade III anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas there is evidence in the literature that pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas may evolve and show signs of anaplasia

how to respond to progressive or recurrent disease?
The recommended course of action according to different literature sources is to monitor and reattempt a complete surgical removal. In cases of progressive/recurrent disease or when maximal surgical removal has been achieved, radiation therapy will be considered by the medical team.

On the Boston Childrens Hospital website following quote has been found. ''Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of nine institutes in the nation belonging to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium. The consortium is dedicated to the development of new and innovative treatments for children with progressive/recurrent brain tumors not responsive to standard therapies. Children with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas would be eligible for a number of experimental therapies available through the consortium. ''

Mortality
After total resection people undergoing the surgery have a long term survival rate of 90%. Also After incomplete resection, the long term survival rate is higher than 50%. Morbidity is determined by type and evolution of the tumor : highgraded anaplastic tumors causing more fatalities.