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