Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI]-General Informat
Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI]-General Information About Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] Guide
A biopsy may be done to diagnose certain types of brain stem glioma.
If the MRI scan looks like the tumor is a DIPG, a biopsy is usually not done and the tumor is not removed.
If the MRI scan looks like a focal or low-grade brain stem glioma, a biopsy may be done. A part of the skull is removed and a needle is used to remove a sample of the brain tissue. Sometimes, the needle is guided by a computer. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the doctor will remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same surgery.
Craniotomy: An opening is made in the skull and a piece of the skull is removed to show part of the brain.
The following test may be done on the tissue that was removed:
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on:
Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] - General Information About Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
Childhood Brain Stem Glioma Treatment (PDQ®): Treatment - Patient Information [NCI] Guide
- General Information About Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
- Stages of Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
- Recurrent Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
- Treatment Option Overview
- Treatment Options for Childhood Brain Stem Glioma
- To Learn More About Childhood Brain Tumors
- Changes to This Summary (10 / 07 / 2014)
- About This PDQ Summary
- Get More Information From NCI
A biopsy may be done to diagnose certain types of brain stem glioma.
If the MRI scan looks like the tumor is a DIPG, a biopsy is usually not done and the tumor is not removed.
If the MRI scan looks like a focal or low-grade brain stem glioma, a biopsy may be done. A part of the skull is removed and a needle is used to remove a sample of the brain tissue. Sometimes, the needle is guided by a computer. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found, the doctor will remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same surgery.
Craniotomy: An opening is made in the skull and a piece of the skull is removed to show part of the brain.
The following test may be done on the tissue that was removed:
- Immunohistochemistry: A test that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens in a sample of tissue. The antibody is usually linked to a radioactive substance or a dye that causes the tissue to light up under a microscope. This type of test may be used to tell the difference between brain stem glioma and other brain tumors.
Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
The prognosis and treatment options depend on:
- The type of brain stem glioma.
- Where the tumor is found in the brain and if it has spread within the brain stem.
- The age of the child when diagnosed.
- Whether or not the child has a condition called neurofibromatosis type 1.
- Whether the tumor has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).
