Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Spinal tumors can be classified as one of four types. There are intradural tumors, intramedullary tumors, extramedullary tumors and vertebral bone tumors, and these growths are classified based on the specific location where they form. Subclassifications of tumors are grouped into one of these four classifications, and the one we’ll be focusing on today is called an astrocytoma, which is a type of intramedullary tumor.

Intramedullary tumors form within the spinal cord, meaning they are best treated with the assistance of a skilled neurosurgery group like the team you’ll find at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. Below, we take a closer look at astrocytomas and how these rare spinal tumors are typically treated.

Causes And Symptoms Of Astrocytomas

An astrocytoma develops out of the glial cells in the spinal cord. These glial cells in the spine can develop into several different types of cells, and the astrocyte is one type of cell derived from a glial cell. They are star-shaped cellular structures that are prevalent in the brain and spinal cord, meaning an astrocytoma can form in either the spinal cord or the brain.

Astrocytomas are further classified into one of two types:

• Slow growing astrocytomas
• Aggressively growing astrocytomas

Fortunately, more astrocytomas fall into the slow growing category, but that can also present unique challenges because their onset isn’t always as noticeable. These astrocytomas can develop in children and adults, but they are more common in pediatric patients, accounting for 60% of all pediatric intramedullary tumors.

Medical experts don’t know why these tumors develop, but they believe radiation exposure or unfortunate genetics can play a role in their onset. The good news is that these tumors are very rare, affecting roughly 1 in 100,000 people. That said, an astrocytoma of the spine is the second most common occurring type of spinal cord tumor, accounting for about 6-8% of all spinal cord tumors and 40% of all intramedullary tumors. Symptoms of their onset include back pain, motor weakness in one of both arms, and sensory changes in one or both extremities. These symptoms are similar to what a patient may experience when dealing with a bulging or herniated disc, so if symptoms develop and a disc issue isn’t present, a closer look at the spinal cord is warranted.

Diagnosing and Treating Astrocytomas

Astrocytomas are typically diagnosed with the help of a series of tests that includes a neurological examination, spinal imaging and a biopsy of any discovered growths.

Unlike other spinal conditions where non-operative care is the first line of defense, most surgeons recommend operative treatment following a positive diagnosis. The specific course of treatment will depend on the size, location and risk to the patient, but oftentimes care involves surgery or surgery paired with chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The goal of any procedure is to fully remove the astrocytoma, but it’s not always possible given its location in the brian or spinal cord. In these instances, removing as much as possible and then targeting the tumor with radiation or chemotherapy to kill any remaining tumor cells can prove effective.

Surgery may completely address the tumor, or an operation paired with additional therapies can provide effective management, but patients with these types of tumors will continue to be monitored to ensure tumors don’t return or can be managed in their infancy if they do. They can be a very tricky tumor to effectively treat, but a skilled neurosurgeon can make all the difference in these situations. Consult with a neurosurgeon, develop a treatment plan and continue monitoring the situation in the years that follow, and many patients can experience fantastic results in the face of a rare and complex diagnosis.

For assistance treating rare or common spinal issues, trust the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. For more information, contact Dr. Sinicropi at (651) 430-3800.

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