Astrocytomas are a type of brain tumour
An astrocytoma is a brain tumour and is the most common type of glioma. Astrocytomas are tumours that come from a type of glial cell called an astrocyte.
What are astrocytes
The name astrocyte comes from Greek words meaning "star cell". This is because an astrocyte is shaped like a star. Astrocytes, like other glial cells, help the neurons send messages around the brain and to the rest of the body.
What are astrocytomas
Astrocytomas are tumours that come from a mutation in an astrocyte. There are a number of different types of astrocytomas. Your doctor will figure out which type of astrocytoma you have depending on what the astrocytoma looks like and where it is in your brain.
Your astrocytoma will likely be given a grade between 1 and 4. The grade of your astrocytoma will help your doctor plan your treatment and will give an idea of how your cancer will progress in the future.
- A low grade astrocytoma (grade 1 or 2) grows slowly, is often benign, and is less likely to spread.
- A high grade astrocytoma (grade 3 or 4) grows more quickly and is cancerous or malignant. It is more likely to spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. High grade astrocytomas are more likely to come back in the future.
Astrocytomas can appear in different places in the brain and sometimes in the spinal cord as well.
If you have any questions about your type of astrocytoma, what it means, your treatment or anything else about your cancer, ask someone on your health-care team.
