Astrocytoma Treatments
Our neurosurgical team at UPMC may use a combination of surgical and non-surgical approaches to treat astrocytoma.
The most common management approach for astrocytoma is surgery or biopsy, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment.
Surgery for astrocytoma
Whenever possible, neurosurgeons will remove the tumor surgically.
Neuroendoport® surgery offers a minimally invasive option for tumors within the ventricles (fluid spaces) or deep-seated tumors within the substance of the brain.
A narrow tube or port allows surgeons to access these tumors through a tiny incision in the scalp, in contrast to traditional brain surgery.
Gamma Knife® radiosurgery
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a painless procedure that uses hundreds of highly focused radiation beams to target brain tumors and lesions, with no surgical incision.
For astrocytomas, our neurosurgeons may use a Gamma Knife boost to treat recurrent or residual tumors.
As the nation's leading provider of Gamma Knife procedures, UPMC has treated more than 12,000 patients with tumors, vascular malformations, pain, and other functional problems.
Neurosurgeons may also perform stereotactic radiosurgery using the Cyberknife and other linear-accelerator-based systems.
Radiation therapy
Fractionated External Beam Radiation therapy (EBRT) is a common treatment for brain tumors, either alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Doctors may also use radiation therapy internally, by placing radioactive material directly in the body near the cancer.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. Depending on the type and stage of brain cancer, chemotherapy may be taken by mouth, injected, or placed directly into the brain tumor.
