Neurovista

Astrocytomas are tumors that arise from astrocytes – cells that make up the “glue-like” or supportive  tissue of the brain. These cells are named for their star‑like shape. About 60% of all primary brain tumors are astrocytomas. These tumors are “graded” by the pathologist to indicate how normal, or how abnormal, the cells of the tumor look. Grade I astrocytomas have slightly unusual looking cells; the cells of a grade IV astrocytoma are very abnormal in appearance. The astrocytoma section below describes the various grades of these tumors. The list begins with grade I tumors and progresses through grade IV astrocytomas.

Sometimes, terms describing the location or the appearance of an astrocytoma may be attached to it’s name. For example, a butterfly glioma is a high grade astrocytoma that has spread through both sides of the brain, causing a “butterfly” appearance on scans. A cerebellar astrocytoma is an astrocytoma found in the cerebellum of the brain.”