Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 9/6/2009

Question
hello doctor my dad has low grade glicoma probably pilocytic astrocytoma from d7 to d12 in spinal chord.he has been operated on 24 feb 2009.but it cannot be removed fully.biopsy result as follows
microscopic descrition:-
sections show portions of a neoplasm composed of oval to spindle cells arranged diffusely with areas showing rosenthal fibres and eosinophilic granular bodies.mitosis is not evident.occasional lymphocytes seen no celular atypia seen.

impression:-
   low grade glicoma probably pilocytic astrocytoma;intramedullary sol;d6-L1 level.

    i want to know whether it will spread.if yes what to do .whether it is life risk or not.please give me some usefull information regarding this.
thankyou
with warm regards,
sam

Answer
Pilocytic astrocytoma of low grade is a rather benign brain tumor that probably will not spread and when possible to remove completely with an excellent prognosis. Its location however is less good. That in combination with the fact that it was impossible to totally remove it makes me recommend postsurgical radiation therapy. Probably best - if possible - as stereotactic radiation therapy (GammaKnife, CyberKnife or proton beams). If such stereotactic treatment is possible his prognosis would probably still be good.