ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about the different types of treatments doctors use for children with astrocytoma. Use the menu to see other pages.
In general, tumors in children are uncommon. This means it can be hard for doctors to plan treatments unless they know what has been most effective in other children. That is why more than 60% of children are treated as part of a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new approach to treatment. The “standard of care” is the best treatments known based on previous clinical trials. Clinical trials may test such approaches as a new drug, a new combination of existing treatments, or new doses of current therapies. The health and safety of all children participating in clinical trials are closely monitored.
To take advantage of these newer treatments, children with a central nervous system (CNS) tumor should be treated at a specialized cancer center. Doctors at these centers have extensive experience in treating children and have access to the latest research. A doctor who specializes in treating children with a tumor is called a pediatric oncologist. For astrocytoma, a neuro-oncologist may also be involved with treatment. This is a doctor who specializes in CNS tumors. If a pediatric cancer center is not nearby, general cancer centers sometimes have pediatric and neurology specialists who are able to be part of your child’s care.
How astrocytoma is treated
In many cases, a team of doctors works with a child and their family to provide care. This is called a multidisciplinary team. Pediatric cancer centers often have extra support services for children and their families, such as child life specialists, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and counselors. Special activities and programs to help your child and family cope may also be available. Learn more about the clinicians who provide cancer care.
Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and grade of the tumor, possible side effects, the family’s preferences, and the child’s overall health. Take time to learn about all of your child’s treatment options and be sure to ask questions about things that are unclear. Talk with your child’s doctor about the goals of each treatment and what you can expect during the treatment. These types of conversations are called "shared decision-making." Shared decision-making is when you and your doctors work together to choose treatments that fit the goals of your child's care. Shared decision-making is important for astrocytoma because there are different treatment options. Learn more about making treatment decisions.
The common types of treatments used for astrocytoma are described below, including treatments called targeted therapy and immunotherapy that may be available through clinical trials. Your child’s care plan also includes treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of your child's medical care. Learn more about preparing your child for treatment.
Surgery
Surgery is the removal of the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue during an operation. It is the most common treatment for astrocytoma. During surgery, a neurosurgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible.
Sometimes, a tumor is inoperable, meaning it cannot be reached by surgery because of its location. However, even for inoperable tumors, a surgical biopsy can usually still be done to find out the type and grade of the tumor (see Diagnosis).
If a low-grade tumor cannot be completely removed, the doctor usually watches for signs of tumor growth before recommending other types of treatment. If a tumor causes symptoms and cannot be completely removed with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy is often used (see "Radiation therapy" and "Chemotherapy," below).
A child with a high-grade tumor often needs additional treatment regardless of whether the entire tumor was removed during surgery.
Before surgery, talk with your child’s health care team about the possible side effects from the recommended surgery and how side effects can be managed. Learn more about the basics of surgery.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to destroy tumor cells. A doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat a tumor is called a radiation oncologist.
The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. When radiation treatment is given using implants, it is called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. A radiation therapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time.
Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most short-term side effects go away soon after treatment is finished.
Radiation therapy can sometimes cause problems with the long-term growth and development of a child’s brain. This means that the doctor may choose to treat the tumor in another way. To avoid or reduce the need for radiation therapy in young children, the doctor may first use chemotherapy (see below) to shrink the tumor.
Learn more about the basics of radiation therapy.
Therapies using medication
The treatment plan may include medications to destroy tumor cells. Medication may be given through the bloodstream to reach tumor cells throughout the body. When a drug is given this way, it is called systemic therapy. Medication may also be given locally, which is when the medication is applied directly to the tumor or kept in a single part of the body.
This treatment is generally prescribed by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating a tumor with medication.
Medications are often given through an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or as a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). If your child is given oral medications to take at home, be sure to ask your health care team about how to safely store and handle them.
The types of medications used for astrocytoma include:
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Chemotherapy
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Targeted therapy
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Immunotherapy
Each of these types of therapies is discussed below in more detail. A person may receive 1 type of medication at a time or a combination of medications given at the same time. They can also be given as part of a treatment plan that includes surgery and/or radiation therapy.
The medications used to treat astrocytoma are continually being evaluated. Talking with your child’s doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for your child, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
It is also important to let your doctor know if your child is taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or supplements. Herbs, supplements, and other drugs can interact with anti-tumor medications, causing unwanted side effects or reduced effectiveness. Learn more about your child’s prescriptions by using searchable drug databases.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy tumor cells, usually by keeping the tumor cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells.
A chemotherapy regimen, or schedule, usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive a single drug at a time or combinations of different drugs given at the same time. Chemotherapy for astrocytoma often involves a combination of 2 or 3 drugs.
Chemotherapy may be used to delay or avoid using radiation therapy in young children with low-grade tumors, such as juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA), due to possible side effects. For a high-grade tumor, chemotherapy may work better when combined with surgery and radiation therapy.
The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished. Talk with your child's doctor about what to expect based on the specific medications prescribed.
Learn more about the basics of chemotherapy.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the tumor’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to the tumor’s growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of tumor cells and limits damage to healthy cells.
Not all tumors have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, your child’s doctor may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in the tumor. This helps doctors better match each child with the most effective treatment whenever possible. In addition, research studies continue to find out more about specific molecular targets and new treatments directed at them. Learn more about the basics of targeted treatments.
Larotrectinib (Vitrakvi) is a type of targeted therapy that is not specific to a certain type of tumor but focuses on a specific genetic change called an NTRK fusion. This is also called a tumor-agnostic treatment. NTRK fusions are found in a range of tumors, including astrocytoma. Larotrectinib is approved as a treatment for astrocytoma that is metastatic or cannot be removed with surgery and has worsened despite other treatments.
Talk with your child’s doctor to learn more about targeted treatment options within a clinical trial. In addition, ask about possible side effects for a specific medication and how they can be managed.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses the body's natural defenses to fight a tumor by improving your immune system’s ability to attack tumor cells.
Immunotherapy for astrocytoma is currently being researched in clinical trials. Talk with your child’s doctor to learn more about treatment options within a clinical trial.
Different types of immunotherapy can cause different side effects. Common side effects include skin reactions, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, and weight changes. Talk with your child’s doctor about possible side effects for the immunotherapy recommended for your child. Learn more about the basics of immunotherapy.
Physical, emotional, and social effects of a CNS tumor
A CNS tumor and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative and supportive care. It is an important part of your child’s care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the tumor.
Palliative and supportive care focuses on improving how your child feels during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of the tumor, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after a CNS tumor diagnosis. People who receive palliative and supportive care along with treatment for the tumor often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.
Palliative treatments can vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. Your child may also receive palliative treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy, to improve symptoms.
Before treatment begins, talk with your child’s doctor about the goals of each treatment in the recommended treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative and supportive care options. Many patients also benefit from talking with a social worker and participating in support groups. Ask your doctor about these resources, too.
Cancer care is often expensive, and navigating health insurance can be difficult. Ask your doctor or another member of your health care team about talking with a financial navigator or counselor who may be able to help with your financial concerns.
During treatment, your child’s health care team may ask you to answer questions about your child’s symptoms and side effects and to describe each problem. Be sure to tell the health care team if your child is experiencing a problem. This helps the health care team treat any symptoms and side effects as quickly as possible. It can also help prevent more serious problems in the future.
Learn more about the importance of tracking side effects in another part of this guide. Learn more about palliative and supportive care in a separate section of this website.
Remission and the chance of recurrence
A remission is when tumor cells cannot be detected in the body and there are no symptoms. This may also be called having “no evidence of disease” or NED.
A remission may be temporary or permanent. This uncertainty causes many people to worry that the tumor will come back. While many remissions are permanent, it is important to talk with your child's doctor about the possibility of the disease returning. Understanding your child’s risk of recurrence and the treatment options may help you feel more prepared if the tumor does return. Learn more about coping with the fear of recurrence.
If the tumor returns after the original treatment, it is called a recurrent tumor. It may come back in the same place (called a local recurrence), nearby (regional recurrence), or in another place (distant recurrence). When astrocytoma recurs, it usually recurs near where the tumor originally started.
If a recurrence happens, a new cycle of testing will begin to learn as much as possible about it. After this testing is done, you and your child’s doctor will talk about the treatment options. Often the treatment plan will include the treatments described above, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and therapies using medication, but they may be used in a different combination or given at a different pace. Your child’s doctor may suggest clinical trials that are studying new ways to treat recurrent astrocytoma. Whichever treatment plan you choose, palliative and supportive care will be important for relieving symptoms and side effects.
Treatment for recurrent astrocytoma depends on 3 factors:
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Grade of the tumor
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Where the tumor recurred
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The type of treatment your child received for the original tumor
If the tumor is a low-grade recurrent astrocytoma, the doctor may perform surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Children who have not previously had radiation therapy or chemotherapy may receive either or both of these treatments for the recurrent tumor. If the tumor is a high-grade recurrent astrocytoma, the doctor may suggest other types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
A recurrent tumor may bring up emotions such as disbelief or fear. You and your family are encouraged to talk with your child's health care team about these feelings and ask about support services to help you cope. Learn more about dealing with a recurrence.
If treatment does not work
Although treatment is successful for many children with a CNS tumor, sometimes it is not. If a child’s tumor cannot be cured or controlled, this is called an advanced or terminal tumor. This diagnosis is stressful, and an advanced tumor may be difficult to discuss. However, it is important to have open and honest conversations with your child’s health care team to express your family’s feelings, preferences, and concerns. The health care team has special skills, experience, and knowledge to support patients and their families and is there to help.
Hospice care is designed to provide the best possible quality of life for people who are expected to live less than 6 months. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk with the health care team about hospice options, which include hospice care at home, a special hospice center, or other health care locations. Nursing care and special equipment can make staying at home a workable option for many families. Some children may be happier and more comfortable if they can attend school part-time or keep up other activities and social connections. The child’s health care team can help parents or guardians decide on an appropriate level of activity. Making sure a child is physically comfortable and free from pain is extremely important as part of end-of-life care. Learn more about caring for a terminally ill child and advanced care planning.
The death of a child is an enormous tragedy, and families may need support to help them cope with the loss. Pediatric cancer centers often have professional staff and support groups to help with the process of grieving. Learn more on grieving the loss of a child.
The next section in this guide is About Clinical Trials. It offers more information about research studies that are focused on finding better ways to care for children with astrocytoma. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.