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Article: Spinal cord astrocytomas: rare but life threatening tumors in children: though usually benign, these tumors require early surgical intervention to preserve neurologic function and quality of life for pediatric and adolescent patients.
- Article from:
- JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants
- Article date:
- June 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Haymarket Media, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Solid tumors of the spinal cord are a rare but serious diagnosis in pediatric patients, accounting for only 4% to 10% of all CNS tumors in that population; (1) 25% to 40% of spinal cord tumors are intramedullary, or intrinsic to the spinal cord. (2,3) Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) are classified as either astrocytomas or ependymomas, with the former comprising 60% to 80% of pediatric IMSCTs. (3,4) Although most pediatric IMSCTs are benign, (2,5) 10% to 15% of intramedullary astrocytomas are malignant and carry a poor prognosis. (4,6) Early surgical intervention is essential to preserve neurologic function and quality of life for children and adolescents. ...