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Low grade astrocytoma

Hi,

My mother was diagnosed with low grade astroyctoma 3 years ago. She has had symptoms like seizures since then and is on a heavy dose of anti-epilectic medicines.
Her symptoms include full-blown seizures ( once every 5-6 months) and mini seizures - lasting 2-3 minutes - loss of memory  ( almost 5-6 every month)

We have had her MRI done every 6 months to monitor the growth - and there has been no growth so far.

Lately, she has reported phantom smells, and burning sensation in her throat and watery eyes whenever she has a blocked nose because of cold.

Her next MRI is due and we will be consulting the neurologist about this - but I want to get an idea that - Do these new symptoms indicate that there might be growth in the tumor?

The family's decision is to postpone the brain surgery for as long as possible, for all the risks involved. But if her condition is degrading, do we need to consider surgery in the near term ?

I would appreciate if any Doctor can give their opinion on this matter.

regards
HB
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Avatar universal
Good - nothing worse than weird smells... I had it a couple of times - no getting away from it!
Keep us updated.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response.
Like I said, she has not had any treatment before. She is just on dosage of anti-epileptics.
So it's not a reaction to any treatment for sure.

We got a contrast MRI done last week - and will be taking the results to our neurologist this week - if he has anything additional to comment on. Will keep this post updated.

Meanwhile, as her flu has cleared, so has the blocked nose, and the phantom smell symptoms have completely subsided.

thanks again,
HB
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Avatar universal
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Avatar universal
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the location of the lesion.

It could be that, and I am a layman, she could be experiencing issues from the first treatment(s). Development of scar tissue or necrosis if she had radiation can create symptoms.

I found this on the internet:
"A subset of astrocytomas, because of their distinctive pathology, preclude the use of the usual 4-featured grading system. These tumors may have endothelial proliferation and marked atypia; nevertheless, they are slow growing and well circumscribed. This subset comprises juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) and its variant a juvenile pilomyxoid astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), and subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma (SGCA). Low-grade astrocytomas generally cause symptoms by perturbing cerebral function (eg, seizures), elevating intracranial pressure (ICP) by either mass effect or obstructing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways (ie, hydrocephalus), or causing neurologic (and sometimes endocrine) abnormalities (eg, paralysis, sensory deficits, aberrant behavior, headaches)."

I would wait and see what the MRI says - but if it has recurred, I am not sure that waiting would be in her best interest.
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