title: Cerebellar astrocytoma: report of 13 cases aged over 20 years and review of the literature.
abstract: Cerebellar astrocytoma in adulthood is a distinct neoplasm with a variable prognosis. We reviewed retrospectively 13 cases in patients aged 21 years or over, seen between 1976 and 1992. These accounted for 19% of all cases of cerebellar astrocytoma seen during that period. The tumour was located in the midline in six patients and laterally in seven; seven patients were females and six were males. The low grade tumours had an overall favourable course, similar to that seen in cerebellar astrocytoma in childhood, with follow-up ranging from 4 to 10 years. The poorly differentiated form, seen in four of the cases, showed progression or recurrence within 4-24 months, regardless of the extent of removal or post-operative radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassounah
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000601:surgery; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt