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A pilocytic astrocytoma is a brain tumor that originates from star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are a kind of glial cell, cells that support and nourish neurons in the brain. An astrocytoma is a type of glioma, and pilocytic astrocytomas are low-grade gliomas — a family of slow-growing tumors that arise from glial cells. They are the most benign and most treatable of the gliomas, with a cure rate of over 90 percent.
Children with pilocytic astrocytomas are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's through our Brain Tumor Center's Glioma Program, one of the largest and most experienced pediatric glioma programs in the world. Our glioma specialists — a team of neuro-oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and radiation oncologists — focus solely on the care of children diagnosed with gliomas.
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Find in-depth information on pilocytic astroctyoma on the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's website, including answers to:
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