google_counter
Treatment of Brain astrocytoma | Best Hospitals, Prices, Ranking | Booking Health

Treatment of Brain astrocytoma

Bookinghealth used the best European hospitals for your effective cancer treatment | Current prices for the treatment of Brain astrocytoma | Bookinghealth offers only high-quality clinical services for our clients | We can help you to choose the best hosp

Best hospitals and doctors for brain astrocytoma treatment abroad

Leading hospitals

Cost for treatment

Brain astrocytoma diagnosis
941
Stereotaxic biopsy for disease diagnosis
5235.66
Astrocytoma treatment with MRI-guided laser ablation
58329.73
Radiotherapy for astrocytoma
14064
Surgical complete or partial resection of astrocytoma
8332.16
Neurological rehabilitation Phase C
0.00
The University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich was founded in 1834. It combines long traditions with the very latest advances in modern medicine. The medical facility includes 33 specialized departments and 20 interdisciplinary centers, where patients can receive top-class medical care in all medical fields. The hospital annuall
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the Charite University Hospital Berlin occupies the first place in the rating of the top German medical facilities! The hospital is one of the largest and leading university medical complexes in Europe. The hospital in Germany provides modern diagnostics and treatment of patients, a
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
The University Hospital Freiburg is famous for its rich history and is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical facilities in Germany (one of the three best medical institutions in the country). The hospital was based on the Faculty of Medicine of the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, which celebrated its 550th anniver
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital was founded in 1914 and today is a well-known German medical facility, which combines rich traditions and scientific innovations. A medical team of more than 6,500 employees cares about
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the Focus magazine in 2019, the University Hospital Würzburg ranks among the top national German hospitals! The hospital is one of the oldest medical facilities in Germany. The centuries-old traditions of first-class treatment are combined with the very latest achievements of modern evidence-based medicine and
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Bonn

University Hospital Bonn

Overall rating9.2 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the University Hospital Bonn ranks among the top ten medical facilities in Germany! The hospital was opened on January 1, 2001, although in fact it inherits the medical facility, which operated at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bonn. The hospital in Germany combin
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden ranks among the top five German hospitals! The hospital is the benchmark for modern high-quality medicine. Positioning itself as a maximum care medical facility, the hospital represents all medical fields. There are 26 specialized depart
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the Focus magazine, University Hospital Erlangen ranks among the best medical facilities in Germany! The hospital is one of the leading healthcare facilities in Bavaria and offers top-class medical care distinguished by the close intertwining of clinical activities with research and training of medical students. The
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf ranks among the top ten hospitals in Germany! Since its foundation in 1889, the hospital has taken a leading position in the European medical arena and still occupies it until today. A highly competent medical team of more than 11,000 employees takes care
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Ulm

University Hospital Ulm

Overall rating8.7 / 10
The University Hospital Ulm is an advanced medical complex that provides patients with high-class medical care using the very latest scientific achievements. The medical facility has been performing successful clinical activities for more than 40 years and has long earned an excellent reputation throughout Europe. The hospital r
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to Focus magazine, the University Hospital Heidelberg ranks among the top five hospitals in Germany! The hospital is one of the most advanced and reputable medical institutions not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. There are more than 43 specialized departments and 13 medical institutes, which cover all fields of
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Essen

University Hospital Essen

Overall rating9.6 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine the University Hospital Essen ranks among the top German hospitals! With 27 specialized departments and 24 institutes, the hospital in Germany is a maximum care medical facility. The hospital has 1,300 beds for inpatient treatment. A highly qualified medical team of more than 6,000 e
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Jena

University Hospital Jena

Overall rating8.9 / 10
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Jena regularly ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital has positioned itself as a multidisciplinary medical facility with a long history of more than 200 years. Since its foundation, the hospital has been constantly developing and modernizin
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Halle (Saale) ranks among the top German medical facilities! The history of the hospital has more than 300 years, and during this time it managed to earn an excellent reputation not only in Germany, but throughout the world. The hospital positions itself as a s
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
The University Hospital Marburg UKGM offers patients modern diagnostics and comprehensive therapy at the international level. As a maximum care hospital, the medical facility specializes in all fields of modern medicine ranging from ophthalmology to traumatology and dentistry. The main areas of specialization of the hospital are
certificatecertificate
According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is regularly ranked among the best medical institutions in Germany! The hospital is the largest multidisciplinary medical facility, as well as a leading research and training center in Germany and Europe. The hospital is proud of i
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
| from Booking Health GmbH

The main problem with this disease is that at its initial stages, the astrocytoma is benign. With time, 70% of brain tumors of this type develop into malignant ones.

Content

  1. What is astrocytoma?
  2. Types of astrocytoma
  3. Astrocytoma symptoms
  4. Diagnostics
  5. Astrocytoma treatment options
  6. Prognosis
  7. Cost of treatment for astrocytoma
  8. Where can I undergo the treatment of brain astrocytoma?
  9. How can I undergo brain astrocytoma treatment abroad?

What is astrocytoma?

 

Astrocytoma is one of the most common types of primary brain tumors.

Astrocytoma is a type of glioma that develops from astrocytes (cells that help neurons to function). Under unfavorable conditions, a massive accumulation of cells occurs, which subsequently forms a tumor.

Astrocytoma affects both males and females, regardless of age and lifestyle. There are no exact reasons that could directly initiate the development of the disease. However, researches show several main factors that provoke it:

  • Genetic predisposition. There is an increased likelihood of developing astrocytoma in people with cases of development of pathologies of the brain in the family history.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
  • Former infectious and viral diseases.
  • Dangerous working environment.

Working with chemicals, heavy metals, for example in rubber production, oil production, and processing industries, can increase the risk of astrocytoma development.

If a person is at risk of developing astrocytoma, preventive examinations should be carried out regularly. This will help to reveal the disease at an early stage, while the brain tumor is still benign.

Types of astrocytoma

 

All types of astrocytomas fall into the group of gliomas – brain tumors localized in the central nervous system.

While they can grow to large sizes, not all the brain tumors have clear contour. Therefore, some of them are difficult to treat.

Astrocytomas are classified according to the three main criteria: tumor type, degree of malignancy, and growth pattern.

  • Pilocytic astrocytoma

The brain tumor belongs to grade 1 of malignancy.

It does not spread to adjacent tissues, grows slowly, but can reach large sizes. Pilocytic astrocytoma responds well to surgical treatments. Children and adolescents are at risk for this type of brain tumor.

  • Low-grade astrocytoma

A neoplasm of this type belongs to the 2nd degree of malignancy. Low-grade astrocytoma is located in the white matter of the brain and is usually of medium size with precise boundaries. It is amenable to surgical treatments. In difficult cases, treatment of brain astrocytoma is supplemented with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

  • Anaplastic astrocytoma

It belongs to the 3rd degree of malignancy, as it grows and develops rapidly.

Anaplastic astrocytoma has no clear boundaries, it tends to spread to nearby tissues. The brain tumor is difficult to treat surgically. It is most often diagnosed in patients over 30 years of age.

  • Glioblastoma

A brain tumor of the 4th degree of malignancy. It can develop in any part of the brain.

Glioblastoma develops rapidly and is characterized by the spread to the surrounding tissues. It is difficult to treat it with surgery and in most cases it requires radiation therapy or chemotherapy in addition.

By the nature of growth, astrocytomas are divided into:

  • Astrocytomas of nodular growth

Such tumors are characterized by clear boundaries and are predominantly benign. They can be located anywhere in the brain and often have multiple cysts. Pilocytic astrocytoma belongs to tumors of nodular growth.

  • Astrocytomas of diffuse growth

Brain tumors with diffuse growth have no clear boundaries and can reach gigantic sizes, growing into adjacent tissues. Such neoplasms are highly prone to transformation into malignant ones. Anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma belong to tumors of diffuse growth.

Astrocytoma symptoms

 

Symptoms of an astrocytoma can be general and local.

Common general symptoms include those caused by tumor development in any part of the brain. They are induced by increased intracranial pressure, as well as by inflammation in the body, influenced by tumor cells. Local symptoms of tumors arise depending on the tumor localization and the destruction of adjacent structures.

General symptoms of astrocytoma include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Poor appetite
  • Brain fog and vision impairment
  • Impaired concentration
  • Coordination impairment (vestibular dysfunction)
  • Memory impairment
  • Constant feeling of fatigue, muscle aches
  • In some cases, seizures, specifically epileptic, may occur

Local symptoms of astrocytoma are:

  • Clouding of consciousness, local paralysis (caused by the development of a brain tumor in the frontal part of the brain)
  • Impairment of the hands' movement (if the brain tumor is located in the parietal part)
  • Difficulty speaking (localization of astrocytoma in the temporal part of the brain)
  • Dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus, loss of balance (the development of a neoplasm in the cerebellum)
  • Impairment and complete loss of vision (a brain tumor is located in the occipital lobe)

Diagnostics

 

Due to the variety of symptoms that are caused by neurological, mental, and ophthalmological disorders, patients need to undergo a comprehensive clinical examination. During the clinical examination, the neurologist performs a series of procedures and tests that assess reflexes and brain activity. The ophthalmologist determines the degree of vision loss and the cause of the dysfunction of the optic nerve.

Common methods of diagnostics of astrocytoma of the brain are:

  • MRI. MRI is an effective method for imaging tumors in all parts of the brain. MRI allows doctors to determine the presence, size, and spreading of the tumor. For a more accurate study, magnetic resonance imaging can be performed with an intravenous injection of a contrast agent.
  • CT scan. In the CT scan, the study of the brain parts is carried out in layers, which reveals the detailed features of the neoplasm.
  • Angiography. Angiography is an X-ray contrast study that displays the blood vessels near the tumor and the presence of changes in them. It is usually carried out for the correct planning of the operation.
  • Biopsy. A biopsy involves harvesting affected tissue for clinical research. A biopsy is conducted for precise diagnosis with endoscopy or surgical intervention.

Carrying out a full and comprehensive clinical examination of the patient's body plays a major role in the accurate description of the degree of damage, which further contributes to planning an effective treatment of brain astrocytoma.

Astrocytoma treatment options

 

Astrocytoma treatment protocol depends on the location of the tumor, its size, and the grade of malignancy. Depending on the diagnostic results, the doctor may prescribe chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery. In some cases, the combination of the above is used.

  • Surgery.

Surgery is effective at the early stages of the disease until the cancer cells have spread beyond the primary area. Astrocytomas of diffuse growth do not have clear boundaries, and therefore are difficult to treat surgically.

In the field of modern neurosurgery, there are innovative techniques that allow doctors to remove a tumor with high precision without damaging healthy tissues. Before the surgery, the patient receives injection of the special contrast agent, which accumulates in the area of ​​the neoplasm. It has fluorescent properties, and when exposed to a particular light, stains the tumor, and makes it visible.

All surgical procedures are carried out under the additional control of 3D visual equipment, which guarantees the precision of the doctor’s actions.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, but if the tumor is located close to functional centers, the patient is left awake in order to keep those centers functioning during the surgery. The tumor can be removed with an endoscope through small holes in the skull. Such an intervention is considered minimally invasive, and the procedure itself takes 2-4 hours. Open astrocytoma surgery, which involves a craniotomy, takes up to 6 hours.

  • Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy involves drug treatment that negatively affects the growth and spread of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be prescribed alone or as part of a comprehensive astrocytoma treatment, with surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is conducted intravenously or like a course of oral drug treatments.

  • Radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy is a modern non-invasive method of tumor destruction. Radiation therapy destroys a tumor with a beam of ionizing radiation.

The advantage of modern radiation therapy is gradual effect on the malignant formation with minimal affection of healthy tissues. The required dose of radiation to destroy the tumor is delivered during a certain number of sessions. There are no tumor features that contradict carrying out radiation therapy. It is prescribed as an independent method of treatment or in combination with surgical intervention or chemotherapy.

Certain types of radiation therapy can be highly effective while preventing the damage of nearby healthy tissues. For astrocytoma treatment, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton beam radiation therapy are commonly used.

Proton beam radiation therapy is a type of radiation therapy that has a low impact on healthy tissues close to the tumor in comparison to conventional irradiation. A decrease in the volume of irradiated healthy tissue can lead to a significant reduction in long-term toxicity, which can lead to better quality of life.

The principle of intensity-modulated radiation therapy involves the remote delivery of high doses of radiation directly to the tumor while healthy tissues nearby are minimally exposed to radiation. The accuracy of radiation therapy is achieved by the specified computer system planning.

Prognosis

 

The prognosis for astrocytoma of the brain is ambiguous because a growing tumor can have irreversible consequences for the patients. The pathology is prone to relapse, especially during the first few years after treatment. A promising prognosis depends on the timely diagnosis and effective treatment of brain astrocytoma.

Cost of treatment for astrocytoma

 

The prices in hospitals listed on the Booking Health website are relatively low. As a rule, you can save up to 30-40% of the usual treatment price by booking the medical program here.

With Booking Health, you can book the brain astrocytoma treatment at an affordable price. The cost of treatment varies in different countries. The price of treatment of brain astrocytoma goes as follows:

  • Cost of diagnostics varies from 478 EUR to 2,351 EUR
  • Cost of treatment with radiation therapy varies from 13,800 EUR to 29,518 EUR
  • Cost of surgical complete or partial resection of astrocytoma varies from 7,728 EUR to 31,975 EUR

Where can I undergo the treatment of brain astrocytoma?

 

Among foreign hospitals, the best success rates in the treatment of brain astrocytoma are demonstrated by:

  1. University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich, Germany
  2. Charite University Hospital Berlin, Germany
  3. University Hospital HM Monteprincipe Madrid, Spain
  4. University Hospital for Neurosurgery Salzburg, Austria
  5. University Hospital Freiburg, Germany

How can I undergo brain astrocytoma treatment abroad?

 

Arranging the treatment of brain astrocytoma abroad by oneself can be challenging. It requires specific knowledge and experience in medical tourism. It is safer, easier, and less stressful to shift some responsibility onto a medical tourism agency that will support you throughout your journey.

Booking Health is the largest and most transparent medical tourism agency in the world. Treatment abroad is arranged due to the direct cooperation with leading foreign hospitals.

If you want to get more information on the suitable treatment type for you or the cost of treatment, please leave a request on the Booking Health website. We will contact you and answer all your questions.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko