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).
1 Examples include cancer therapy drugs such as vincristine (Oncovin, Vincasar), and antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl), and isoniazid (Nydrazid, Laniazid). 2  Trauma/Injury: Trauma or injury to nerves, including prolonged pressure on a nerve or group of nerves, is a common cause of neuropathy.