Anaplastic Tumors

Anaplastic Tumor Symptoms

Anaplastic tumors generally have similar symptoms:

• Headache
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting and nausea
• Seizures
• Children with anaplastic ependymal tumors may have a larger head size, along with vomiting and lethargy

Diagnosis for Anaplastic Tumors at NSPC

A biopsy may be required to make an accurate diagnosis. Depending on your symptoms, brain images and location of the tumor, the biopsy may be in coordination with the surgical removal of the tumor.

Anaplastic tumors can be differentiated in part by the type of cells they are formed from.

Anaplastic Astrocytoma forms from fast growing, abnormal, star-shaped astrocyte cells, which infiltrate nearby tissues and usually can not be cured. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell of the brain and spinal cord. Anaplastic astrocytoma is considered a malignant or high-grade tumor.

Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma is made up of oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell that helps form the insulating myelin sheath around nerves.

Anaplastic Oligoastrocytoma is a mixed glioma formed from both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. An anaplastic oligoastrocytoma invades nearby tissues with abnormal-looking cells. Often the level of treatment is based on the astrocytoma grade, since astrocytomas tend to be more aggressive than oligodendrogliomas.

Anaplastic Ependymoma begins in the ependymal cells that coat the ventricles of the brain and the cavities around the spinal cord filled with cerebrospinal fluid. This tumor also consists of faster-growing, abnormal-looking cells.

Treatments for Astrocytoma

NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery (NSPC) (NSPC) has a multi-disciplinary team of award-winning doctors including radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons that specialize in the surgical removal of malignant cells of the central nervous system.

Our innovative procedures for anaplastic tumor treatment include functional MRIs and intra-operative brain mapping.

Stereotactic radiation therapy & Chemotherapy

Stereotactic radiation therapy along with chemotherapy is used to destroy as many cancer cells as possible, and place the remaining cancer cells in stasis. Novalis radiotherapy offers you faster recovery, precisely pinpointing the shape of the tumor to preserve neighboring healthy tissue—with a shorter number of radiation sessions.

To arrange a consultation at one of our centers in the Long Island or New York areas, get in touch using the button below. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can make sure you see a specialist with outstanding expertise and experience.

Related NSPC Center

NSPC provides state-of-the-art treatment of benign and malignant brain and spine tumors, using minimally invasive procedures like Gamma Knife®, Novalis TX™, and CyberKnife® rather than major surgery whenever appropriate. Our physicians also perform experienced pediatric neurosurgery — they give personalized, individual attention combined with knowledge and experience to take on the most challenging of cases.