Astroblastoma is a rare glial tumor derived from the astroblast, a type of cell that closely resembles spongioblastoma and astrocytes.
[1] Astroblastoma cells are most likely found in the supratentorial region of the brain that houses the cerebrum, an area responsible for all voluntary movements in the body.
[1] The majority of tumors exhibit a spherical perimeter with either a solid or cystic interior, comprising peripheral vasculature and epithelioid neoplasms.
The mass began at the brainstem, extended along the inferior cerebellar peduncle to roof areas against the ventricles through the nodule of vermis, easily detected against normal grey matter surrounding it.
[7] Calcification deriving from nervous system tumors is a rare quality in astroblastoma patients, but it is nonetheless easy to identify.
Lumbar pain and lower body weakness is also a rarity in astroblastoma patients, even though it is entirely possible for lesions to proliferate toward the spinal cord.
Certain neuroradiologic features finally distinguish astroblastoma from the common ependymoma, another frequent tumor occurring in the fourth ventricle.
[citation needed] Researchers have also confirmed astroblastoma distinct from oligodendroglioma, which are invasive nodular cysts that may resemble a "bubbly" interior.
Advances in the 21st century of histology have justified proper diagnosis, eliminating inconsistency that plagued this tumor for several decades.
[citation needed] Most patients experience a series of intermittent headaches over a few weeks or sustained, powerful pressure in a matter of days.
[citation needed] Vision deficit usually occurs when lesions grow in the occipital lobe of the brain,[1] causing a blurred daze for patients, especially in sensitivity to light.
[6][11] Since the motor system can be impaired with severe cases, the malignant spread of astroblastoma throughout the body may press against or paralyze the spinal cord, diminishing sensation in upper and lower extremities.
[6] Irritability, aggression, memory loss, neurological deficits, and inattentiveness on everyday tasks are the most common forms of deregulation in the mental capabilities of a patient.
[7][9] The World Health Organization, a specialized agency that classifies abnormal tumors affecting the central nervous system and assesses potential risk to life, has difficulty in assigning a proper grade for astroblastoma.
[2][4][12] The most important factor for any patient when cancer is concerned – the likelihood of surviving – is still controversial for astroblastoma, but recent advances in the last decade have improved prognosis.
The following factors influence an oncologist's specific treatment plan:[citation needed] Complete surgical removal, known as gross-total resection or craniotomy, remains the standard for treating astroblastoma, despite high recurrence rate for high-grade tumors.
[14] Radiation therapy selectively kills astroblastoma cells while leaving surrounding normal brain tissue unharmed.
Normally, chemotherapy is not recommended until the second required resection, implying that the astroblastoma is a high-grade tumor continuing to recur every few months.
[8][16][14] The strict black-and-white diagnosis of an astroblastoma based on grade does not determine all tumor behaviors, but it can be used as a benchmark for patients with varying degrees of severity.
Surviving the symptoms of high-grade astroblastoma is not life-threatening, but a significant portion of patients die due to repeated recurrence of tumors as they continue to grow and spread.
[8][16] The dual-action of chemotherapy and radiotherapy can slow down recurrence when gross total resection is performed multiple times, but there is no guarantee that the tumor will ever be in remission.
Although cancer in general is caused by a variety of external factors, including carcinogens, dangerous chemicals, and viral infections, astroblastoma research has not even attempted to classify incidence in this regard.