Prognosis for astrocytoma
Your doctor cannot be absolutely certain about what will happen to you following a diagnosis of an astrocytoma.
Remember that prognosis is often an ongoing process and will be revised at different stages in your journey. You might receive a prognosis shortly after diagnosis based on the tumour type and current situation, but nobody can predict other factors – for example, how well you respond to treatment.
Receiving information about a brain tumour prognosis
Different people approach their prognosis in different ways.
- Some do not want to know, because they are afraid of what they might hear and how it may affect them
- Some just need some time to cope with their diagnosis before asking about their prognosis
- Others may want to know from the beginning, using their prognosis to plan ahead
There is no right or wrong answer as to whether or when to receive such information. It is entirely up to you whether or when you want to speak to your doctor about prognosis.
Brain tumour survival
The survival rate listed below uses five and ten year intervals. We use these figures because they’re some of the main intervals used by doctors for research or measuring purposes. It is not meant to represent how long someone will live past that period and a patient who survives past five years might live as long as any other healthy person, depending on their circumstances.
It is important to remember that statistics and averages cannot tell you exactly what will happen to you. You can find a general overview of prognosis for ependymoma below.
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Adults
Low grade (grade two astrocytomas)
The average survival time after surgery is six to eight years. More than 40% of people live more than ten years.
High grade (grade three astrocytomas)
About 27% of people diagnosed with a high grade astrocytoma live for five years or more.
Children
Low grade (grade one and two astrocytomas)
Almost 90% of children survive for 5 years or more after surgery.
Get your free brain tumour information pack
Our Brain Tumour Information Pack has been designed to help you cope with your diagnosis and support you during this difficult time. It can help to guide you through the healthcare system, answer your questions, and reassure you that you’re not alone so that you feel confident when discussing treatment and care options with your medical team.
Unfortunately, we’re currently unable to send Information Packs by post. All the information contained in the pack can be found in the email you’ll receive after completing this form.
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