Myxoid foci and oligodendroglioma-like cells may also be present, though these are not specific to pilocytic astrocytoma. Long-standing lesions may show hemosiderin-laden macrophages and calcifications. Treatment
The most common form of treatment is having the tumor surgically removed. Complete removal of the tumor will generally allow functional survival for many years. In particular for pilocytic astrocytomas (commonly indolent masses that may permit normal neurologic function), surgeons may decide to monitor the neoplasms evolution and postpone surgical intervention for some time. However, total resection is often not possible. The location could prohibit access to the neoplasm and lead to incomplete or no resection at all. Left unattended, these tumors may eventually lead to further symptoms due to continued slow growth. Extremely rarely, they may also undergo malignant transformation. If surgery is not possible, recommendations such as chemotherapy or radiation may be suggested. However, side effects from these treatments can be extensive and long term, resulting in some cases in life-long difficulties. Side effects
After treatment, children with pilocytic astrocytoma may experience an improvement of symptoms related to the tumor itself depending on the location, but may also experience side effects related to the treatment:

Symptoms related to increased pressure in the brain often disappear after surgical removal of the tumor. Effects on coordination and balance may improve and might progressively (to completely) disappear as recovery progresses. Steroid treatment is often used to control tissue swelling that may occur pre-and post-operatively. Patients can, however, also develop long-term side effects due to the type of treatment they may receive.
Pilocytic astrocytoma (and its variant pilomyxoid astrocytoma) is a brain tumor that occurs most commonly in children and young adults (in the first 20 years of life). They usually arise in the cerebellum, near the brainstem, in the hypothalamic region, or the optic chiasm, but they may occur in any area where astrocytes are present, including the cerebral hemispheres and the spinal cord. These tumors are usually slow growing and benign, corresponding to WHO malignancy grade 1. Signs and symptoms
Children affected by pilocytic astrocytoma can present with different symptoms that might include failure to thrive (lack of appropriate weight gain/ weight loss), headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, torticollis (tilt neck or wry neck), difficulty to coordinate movements, and visual complaints (including nystagmus). The complaints may vary depending on the location and size of the neoplasm. The most common symptoms are associated with increased intracranial pressure due to the size of the tumor mass. Causes
Pilocytic astrocytoma can be associated with the genetic condition neurofibromatosis type 1  (NF1), and optic nerve gliomas are among the most frequently encountered tumors in patients with this disorder. The majority of pilocytic astrocytomas, however, arise sporadically - with no evidence of a link to an underlying hereditary predisposition or lifestyle factor. They are associated with genetic alterations in the MAPK/ERK pathway, most frequently a characteristic KIAA1549-BRAF fusion gene.