Astrocytoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Astrocytoma?
A neuro-oncologist or neurologist (a brain and nerve doctor) treats astrocytoma, and a neurosurgeon does any surgery. Children are cared for by a pediatric oncologist, a doctor who treats children with cancer. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is astrocytoma?
Astrocytoma is a type of glioma, a group of tumors that start in glial cells. Glial cells support and protect the brain's nerve cells. Astrocytoma starts in a star-shaped glial cell called an astrocyte. It is the most common type of glioma diagnosed in children, and it can form anywhere in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.
Gliomas can be low grade or high grade. Low-grade gliomas grow slowly and do not spread within the brain and spinal cord. Most low-grade gliomas are treatable. High-grade gliomas grow fast and often spread within the brain and spinal cord, which makes them harder to treat.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the tumor forms, its size, and how fast it grows. Some tumors cause no symptoms at first. Signs can include:
- Morning headache, or a headache that goes away after vomiting.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Vision, hearing, or speech problems.
- Loss of balance or trouble walking.
- Weakness or a change in feeling on one side of the body.
- Change in personality or behavior.
- Seizures, which are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Unusual sleepiness or less energy than usual.
These symptoms can also come from conditions other than tumors. The only way to know is to see a doctor.
Causes and who gets it
Gliomas start when glial cells change the way they grow and divide. Often, the exact cause of these cell changes is unknown. Inherited genetic disorders that may raise the risk include neurofibromatosis type 1 and tuberous sclerosis. Astrocytomas most often develop in children, and not every child with a risk factor gets a glioma.
How doctors diagnose it
The doctor asks about symptoms and does a physical exam with a neurologic exam, which tests how the brain and nerves work. The main imaging test is an MRI, a scan that uses a magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes a dye called gadolinium is injected into a vein so tumor cells show up better. Surgery may be used to remove part or all of the tumor, and a pathologist, a doctor who studies tissue samples, looks at the cells under a microscope to find the tumor type and grade.
Treatment
A team of specialists plans treatment based on the child's health, the tumor grade, and whether the tumor is new or has come back. Surgery is the main treatment for astrocytoma. The surgeon removes as much tumor as can be done safely. After surgery, an MRI shows whether any cancer cells remain, and some children are given chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cells that are left. Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop cancer cells from growing. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays. Some children with small tumors or no symptoms are watched closely instead of treated right away, which doctors call observation. Extra fluid around the brain can be drained with a shunt, a long thin tube placed by surgery.
Adults can also have astrocytoma. In adults, treatment depends on the tumor grade and may be surgery with or without radiation therapy, or surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
When to see a doctor
Contact a doctor if a child has headaches that do not go away or other symptoms of a brain tumor from the list above. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if a child develops severe headache of unknown cause, a seizure of unknown cause, vision changes, speech changes, or weakness. These signs need care right away.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can refer a child to the right specialists quickly and help coordinate follow-up care between the hospital team and the family.
Common questions
Is astrocytoma cancer?
It can be. Low-grade astrocytomas are usually slow growing and are often called noncancerous. High-grade astrocytomas are fast growing and are harder to treat. The tumor grade describes how abnormal the cells look and how fast the tumor is likely to grow.
Can astrocytoma be cured?
It depends on the tumor. Most low-grade gliomas are treatable, and surgery is the main treatment. High-grade gliomas are harder to treat and often come back. Treatment goals may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the child's comfort.
What is a shunt?
A shunt is a long, thin tube placed by surgery. It drains extra fluid away from the brain so the fluid and pressure do not build up.
Can astrocytoma be prevented?
It is unclear. Doctors often do not know the exact cause of the cell changes that lead to glioma. Some inherited genetic disorders raise the risk. Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk of a glioma.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Childhood Glioma (Including Astrocytoma)
- MedlinePlus - Brain tumor - children: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- National Cancer Institute - Adult Central Nervous System Tumors Treatment (PDQ)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
