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Pilocytic Astrocytoma and Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma

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Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

Synonyms

JPA; Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma

Definition

The pilocytic astrocytoma, or juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, is an intracranial tumor that results from the neoplastic proliferation of astrocytes, cells that are nonneural and serve as supportive cells of the nervous system. Astrocytic tumors are categorized into pilocytic and ordinary subtypes. Ordinary astrocytomas have a worse overall prognosis than the pilocytic because of their more aggressive behavior and their potential to undergo malignant transformation. The JPA occurs predominantly in children and young adults. It is the most common astrocytic tumor in children, accounting for 80–85% of cerebellar astrocytomas and 60% of optic gliomas. It is usually located in the cerebellum, brainstem, hypothalamic region, or optic pathways and can also occur in any area where astrocytes are present, including the cerebral hemispheres and the spinal cord. It is often cystic and if solid tends to be well circumscribed. Its presenting...

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References and Readings

  • Keating, R. F., Goodrich, J. T., & Packer, R. J. (2001). Tumors of the pediatric central nervous system. New York: Thieme.

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  • Sievert, A. J., & Fisher, M. J. (2009). Pediatric low-grade gliomas. Journal of Child Neurology, 24(11), 1397–1408.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The Childre’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CSH 021, 34th Street and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4399, USA

    Jacqueline L. Cunningham

Authors
  1. Jacqueline L. Cunningham
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jacqueline L. Cunningham .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Richmond, Virgin Islands, USA

    Jeffrey Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation , West Orange, New Jersey, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Suite 200 , Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA

    Bruce Caplan

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Cunningham, J.L. (2017). Pilocytic Astrocytoma and Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma. In: Kreutzer, J., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_141-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56782-2_141-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56782-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56782-2

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