Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body, and can kill cancer cells throughout the body. Treatment by Stage Treatment for childhood cerebellar astrocytoma depends on the tumor location, the extent to which the tumor has spread, and the child's age and overall health. Your child may receive treatment that is considered standard based on its effectiveness in a number of patients in past studies, or you may choose to have your child enter a clinical trial. Not all patients are cured with standard therapy and some standard treatments may have more side effects than are desired. For these reasons, clinical trials are designed to test new treatments and to find better ways to treat cancer patients.
Clinical trials are ongoing in most parts of the country for childhood brain tumors.
Untreated Childhood Cerebellar Astrocytoma Treatment for previously untreated childhood cerebellar astrocytoma depends on whether all of the tumor can be surgically removed. If the tumor is completely removed, there may be no further treatment. If any tumor remains after surgery, radiation therapy may be given following the surgery, or may be delayed until the tumor starts to grow again. If the child is very young and all of the tumor cannot be removed during surgery, chemotherapy may be given to delay the use of radiation therapy. Recurrent Childhood Cerebellar Astrocytoma Recurrence or relapse may take place many years after initial treatment.