Childhood astrocytoma is a disease in which benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the brain. Astrocytomas are tumors that start in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes.An astrocyte is a type of glial cell.hildhood astrocytoma is a disease in which benign (noncancer) or malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the brain. Astrocytomas are tumors that start in star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes.
Medication. A few medications may sometimes cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect in some people. These include: 1  some types of chemotherapy for cancer (especially for bowel cancer, lymphoma or myeloma). 2  some antibiotics, if taken for months (metronidazole, nitrofurantoin).
Peripheral neuropathy refers to a condition where nerves are damaged and is characterized by numbness, pain and tingling of the nerves. Neuropathy is caused by a wide variety of factors including illnesses such as diabetes, chemotherapy treatments, certain medications, vitamin deficiency, injury and infection. Around half of those suffering with neuropathy are actually diabetic.