Understanding Astrocytoma Brain Tumors
- Rico Walcott, a 36-year-old horse jockey battled both a grade 2 and grade 4 astrocytoma over the past six years—both tumors which w3ere discovered after suffering seizures. Since having surgeries to remove the tumors, Walcott is feeling incredibly grateful and has returned to racing.
- Astrocytoma brain tumors, a type of glioma, develop from astrocytes, which are “star-shaped cells” found in the brain. The American Brain Tumor Association describes these types of tumors as “slow growing and tend to invade surrounding tissue.”
- The astrocytoma Walcott was initially diagnosed with was a grade 2. At grade 2, there’s a chance astrocytoma may progress into a glioblastoma brain tumor, according to research published in the National Library of Medicine. Walcott was later diagnosed with a grade 4 IDH mutant astrocytoma, which was operable.
- Grades I or II astrocytomas are nonmalignant (noncancerous) and may be referred to as low-grade. Grades III and IV astrocytomas are malignant and may be referred to as high-grade astrocytomas. Grade IV astrocytomas are known as glioblastoma multiforme. Lower grade astrocytomas can change into higher grade astrocytomas over time, so it’s important to catch these tumors as early as possible.
- Gliomas can develop from several different types of cells in the brain, including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and ependymal cells.
The treatment path may vary depending on what type of brain cell has developed the glioma. Astrocytoma tends to be a bit more aggressive.
The Canadian resident, who was born in Barbados, first suffered a seizure as he was watching a horse racing event called The Sandy Lane Gold Cup on TV, while in his Edmonton home on March 4, 2019.
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However, four years later, in 2023, Walcott broke his collarbone in a fall off a horse, prompting him to go to Barbados during his recovery period.
Then on June 19, 2024, as per the Paulick Report, Walcott and his wife were seen on the Barbadian YouTube show “Horse Racing Journeys,” where Walcott revealed he had a second brain tumor battle.
He explained how he planned on returning to racing in April 2024, but he suffered another seizure, which led him back to the hospital.
It was then he discovered his tumor grew back and it was now grade 4 IDH mutant astrocytoma, an operable tumor he had removed back in Toronto, Canada.
Expert Glioma Resources
- After Treatment, The Importance of Monitoring For Glioma Recurrence
- Biopsy or Surgery First? How Surgeons Decide With Glioma Patients
- Brain Imaging Options for Glioma: What To Expect With MRI & CT Scan
- Chemotherapy For Glioma: What Are The Side Effects And How Can I Manage Them?
- Coping with Glioma: Managing the Emotional and Psychological Impact
- Diagnosing Gliomas — Resections and the Grading System
- For Glioma Patients, The Extraordinary Potential Value Of Biomarker Testing
After a successful surgery and recovery period, Walcott was cleared to ride this past April and returned to racing at the end of May.
According to Paulick report, Walcott has returned to his winning ways and is feeling immense gratitude.
He reportedly said, “I’m just happy for life, and I’m just going to ride and win races and keep riding.
“I don’t really have any specific goal. I don’t think there is anything better than (that) I’m still alive.”
Navigating a Glioma Diagnosis: Understanding Your Tumor Type & Treatment Options
A glioma is a type of tumor that originates in the central nervous system, specifically in the brain or spinal cord. They originate in glial cells. Glial cells are supportive cells in the brain which serve to protect and maintain the neurons. They perform these tasks by maintaining the right chemical environment for electrical signaling, creating protective coverings for neurons, and removing debris and acting as scavengers. Neurons are the key cells in the brain and spinal cord which are responsible for transmitting messages in the brain. While the signals and messages that allow you to think, move, and speak are created by neurons, the glial cells are critical in maintaining brain function.
So essentially, a glioma is a tumor that comes from the brain’s own support cells.
“Glioma is a broad term that refers to a whole range of different types of primary brain tumors,” Dr. Alexandra Miller, Director of the Neuro-Oncologist Division at NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet. “So, they’re tumors that originate in the brain and very rarely spread outside the brain to other parts of the body.”
Those glial cells, like many other cells in the body, have the potential to grow abnormally and form a mass, and that is when a glioma is formed. Gliomas, as they arise from the brain or spinal cord, are considered a primary brain tumor. They do not spread from elsewhere in the body. Relative to other cancers such as breast, prostate, and lung, primary brain tumors are relatively uncommon with 80,000 diagnosed per year in the United States. Of the primary brain tumors diagnosed each year, gliomas comprise approximately 25%.
The Grading System of Gliomas
Gliomas are graded on a scale of I to IV, with higher grades indicating a more aggressive tumor. This grading is based on several factors including the type of glioma, the genetics of the cancer, as well as the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells look, the higher the grade, and the faster the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Here’s a quick overview:
- Grade I-II gliomas – These are considered low-grade and tend to grow slowly. “The grade one is a very indolent, benign tumor that basically can be cured with surgery alone,” Dr. Henry Friedman, Deputy Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, tells SurvivorNet.
- Grade III gliomas – These are considered high-grade and tend to grow more rapidly. Grade III gliomas are typically classified as malignant and typically require more aggressive treatment which can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
- Grade IV gliomas – These are the most aggressive gliomas which are locally aggressive and require treatment intensification. Glioblastomas are the most common grade IV glioma, “which is by far the most well known and most feared tumor in the lay population and quite frankly, the medical population as well,” Dr. Friedman explains.
Although Grade IV gliomas are the most aggressive glioma and may require several types of treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, there can be challenges in treating low grade gliomas as well. When making decisions on treatment, several factors are taken into consideration including location of the tumor, ease of surgery and ability to resect, neurologic deficits, patient age, tumor size, and overall health.
How Does Glioma Present? Understanding Treatment Options
Gliomas can present a variety of ways. The symptoms are often non-specific, meaning there is no slam-dunk symptom or key finding that is common to all gliomas. Symptoms can also be related to tumor location, and more commonly the increased pressure caused by the mass inside the skull, which can disrupt blood flow and block the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Based on the location of the glioma there can be associated symptoms that arise including personality and speech changes.
With increased pressure in the skull you can experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in vision.
Other symptoms that can sometimes be seen include:
- Seizures
- Cognitive difficulties, like memory loss or trouble concentrating
- Weakness or numbness in certain parts of the body
- Vision or speech problems
Again, none of these symptoms are specific to gliomas and can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. There are several steps in the workup needed before you can be diagnosed with a glioma.
When it comes to treatment, “The first step is always the neurosurgery. How much can you take out? Is it safe to do surgery? Do you have to rely on a biopsy? Can you even do a biopsy?” says Dr. Friedman. These are all questions and considerations that need to accounted for when deciding what treatment is most appropriate.
Why Some Gliomas Return After Surgery or Radiation Therapy
Once the biopsy is obtained and the diagnosis of glioma is made, various treatment options can be recommended. The recommendations take into account the type of the glioma, the tumor grade, and well as patient specific factors including tumor location, size, your age, and overall health.
The main treatment options are:
- Observation – Some gliomas that are benign, small, and without symptoms or tumors located in inoperable locations can be recommended for observation.
- Surgery – Surgery is often the first-line treatment for gliomas, with the goal of achieving maximal safe resection where the largest amount of tumor is removed without causing significant neurologic deficits. For low-grade gliomas, surgery alone can sometimes be curative.
- Radiation therapy – This uses high-energy x-rays to target and kill tumor cells. Radiation is often used after surgery to target residual tumor cells.
- Chemotherapy – These medications kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alongside radiation, or following radiation and is often used in higher-grade tumors.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy – These are newer treatments that are designed to target specific genetic mutations in the tumor or to stimulate the immune system to fight the cancer. Their role in the treatment for gliomas is continuing to evolve.
The important thing to remember is that every treatment plan and recommendation made by your healthcare team is personalized based off of details specific to your disease, your overall health, and treatment goals.
Navigating a Glioma Diagnosis
Being diagnosed with a glioma can be overwhelming, but understanding your specific tumor type and the available treatments can help you make informed decisions about your care. Here are some steps to take if you or a loved one is facing a glioma diagnosis:
- Work with a Specialized Medical Team: A neuro-oncologist, neurosurgeon, and radiation oncologist can help guide your treatment plan.
- Ask About Genetic Testing: Some gliomas have specific genetic markers that can influence treatment decisions and prognosis.
- Consider Second Opinions: Seeking a second opinion at a major cancer center can provide more treatment options and access to clinical trials.
- Stay Informed & Engaged: Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and ask your doctors about the latest research and treatment advancements.
- Seek Support: Support groups, counseling, and patient advocacy organizations can help you navigate the emotional and practical challenges of living with a brain tumor.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are facing a glioma diagnosis, understanding all the new information you are getting can be really overwhelming. Consider taking the following questions to your doctor at your next visit.
- What type of glioma do I have?
- Is there a standard treatment approach we will take?
- Should I undergo genetic testing?
- How will I be monitored after treatment?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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