Kirra's Astrocytoma Facts.

Kirra's Tumour was called a "Mid line Posterior Fossa Cerebellar Low Grade Astrocytoma." It consisted of astrocytes cells that decided to multiply with out asking the rest of her brain. This forms a lump and if it's in the brain it is called a " Brain Tumour" Generally the tumour is then named by were it is "Posterior Fossa" ( back of Head ) "Cerebellar" ( Part of the head.) Type of cells it is made of  "Astrocytoma" ( astrocytes cells.) In the case of Astrocytoma it is then Graded. There are different scales used for grading Astrocytoma's. The most common scale used, breaks the astrocytoma into four groups.

Because of the central location and size of Kirra's Tumour it was thought to be a malignant Medulloblastoma. We were not told this until after they discover what it really was. Looking through her notes it would seem to have been staged as an Medulloblastoma.
According to my research 10% of childhood brain tumours are Astrocytomas while 20% are Medulloblastomas. I would like to know if one could turn into the other but I have been unable to find out. I believe the grade of tumours can change, but I do not know, how when or why. I'm just glad Kirra's tumour was diagnosed when it was, Like most bad things, the sooner they are dealt with the less damage they cause.

Some pinched Information. The following links will take you back to the site I "borrowed" them from. Use the BACK button to return here.
 
 

Tumours can also be called the following.
Tumors ( USA Spelling.)
neoplasm
growth (mass)
Lumps
Lesions
and several other thing that I can't remember.