Astrocytoma

Astrocytoma - A tumor that grows in the small star-shaped glial cells (called astrocytes) of the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytoma represents about half of all primary tumors of the brain and spinal cord. The three main types of astrocytomas include low grade astrocytomas (tumors confined to the cerebrum, the main part of the brain), anaplastic astrocytomas (intermediate-grade astrocytomas, or tumors which have spread to surrounding brain tissue), and glioblastoma multiforme (high-grade astrocytomas, or extremely malignant tumors which quickly spread to other parts of the brain). The most common malignant brain tumors in adults, glioblastomas make up about two-thirds of all astrocytomas.

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