MenuAtypical Teratoid Rhaboid Tumor (ATRT)
ATRTs are rare, high-grade tumors that occur most often in children age 3 and younger. They tend to be fast-growing and frequently spread through the central nervous system.
Location
About half of ATRTs are found in the cerebellum or brain stem. However, they may appear anywhere in the brain or spinal cord.
Description
An ATRT can appear as a large, bulky mass.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the age of the patient, as well as the size and location of the tumor. They may include: morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting, nausea and vomiting, unusual sleepiness or change in activity level, loss of balance, lack of coordination, or trouble walking, and increased head size (in infants).1
Incidence
ATRTs are rare. They typically occur in children age 3 and younger.
Cause
Like many tumor types, the exact cause of ATRT is not known.
Treatment
Treatment generally involves surgery to remove the tumor followed by chemotherapy. Radiation may be considered depending on the age of the patient and whether the tumor has recurred.
Learn more about different options to treat brain tumors on our Treatment page.
New approaches to treatment are currently in development. These new therapies are offered in organized research studies called clinical trials. Click here to access Trial Connect®, the ABTA's clinical trial matching service.