Gliomatosis cerebri
Overview
Gliomatosis cerebri (infiltrative diffuse astrocytosis) is a rare primary brain tumor. It is commonly characterized by diffuse infiltration of the brain with neoplastic glial cells that affect various areas of the cerebral lobes
Symptoms
* Hydrocephalus * Increased pressure inside skull * Headache * Vomiting * Unsteadiness
Causes
There are no known factors or conditions that predispose an individual to the development of gliomatosis cerebri.
Diagnosis
Before the advent of MRI, diagnosis was generally not established until autopsy. Even with MRI, however, diagnosis is difficult. Typically, gliomatosis cerebri appears as a diffuse, poorly circumscribed, infiltrating non-enhancing lesion that is hyperintense on T2-weighted images and expands the cerebral white matter. It is difficult to distinguish from highly infiltrate anaplastic astrocytoma or GBM
Prognosis
The prognosis for gliomatosis cerebri is generally poor, with a median survival time of only 12 months. Surgery is not practical considering the extent of the disease, standard chemotherapy (nitrosourea) has been unsuccessful, and while brain irradiation can stabilize or improve neurologic function in some patients, its impact on survival has yet to be proven.
Treatment
Specific treatment for a gliomatosis cerebri will be determined by your child's physician based on: * your child's age, overall health, and medical history * type, location, and size of the tumor * extent of the disease * your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies * how your child's doctors expects the disease to progress * your opinion or preference