An astrocytoma is a primary tumor of the central nervous system that develops from the large, star-shaped glial cells known as astrocytes. Most frequently astrocytomas occur in the brain, especially in the frontal and temporal lobes of the cerebrum, but occasionally they appear along the spinal cord.

No one knows what causes the tumors, which may affect anyone of any age but occur most often in middle-aged men. Symptoms of an astrocytoma, similar to other brain tumors, often depend on the precise location of the growth. For instance, if the frontal lobe is affected, mood swings and changes in personality may occur, whereas a temporal lobe tumor is more typically associated with speech and coordination difficulties. Frequently, however, many of the initial signs of a tumor, which stem from increased pressure in the cranium, are the same for all tumor types and locations, and may include headaches, nausea, and adverse changes in eyesight.

Astrocytomas are the most common variety of glioma (tumor that arises from glial cells) and may be benign or malignant. Like all brain tumors, astrocytomas are very serious and are usually described by the medical community based upon their grade. The grade of a tumor can generally be determined by observing the tumor cells under a microscope. High-grade tumors are characterized by a greater presence of abnormal cells and more rapid cell growth than low-grade tumors. The brisk pace of high-grade tumor cell growth allows these tumors to quickly invade the central nervous system, making them much more difficult to treat than low-grade brain tumors. The most advanced astrocytomas (grade IV) are usually described as glioblastoma multiforme.

Treatment for an astrocytoma depends upon a number of factors, such as the state of health of the patient and the specific characteristics (size, grade, location, etc.) of the tumor. Thus, a number of medical examinations and tests are carried out before any specific plan of action is developed. These often include computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and angiograms. In some cases, a biopsy may also be performed, but since this entails a medical operation, it is usually avoided if not deemed truly necessary.

The primary treatment for an astrocytoma is generally surgery. The goal of such treatment is to excise as much of the growth as possible without afflicting any damage to adjacent areas of the brain. Of course, in many instances, certain factors may make it impossible to successfully remove an entire tumor, in which case follow up treatment of either chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be necessary. High-grade tumors are especially difficult to eradicate via surgery, and in some cases surgery may not be recommended at all due to position or widespread invasion of the brain tissues. Individuals that do not elect to undergo surgery typically undertake a combined treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The prognosis of patients is greatly determined by the grade of the tumor.

Astrocytoma at 20x Magnification - In children with astrocytoma, the tumors that occur are typically classified as low-grade neoplasms. In adults, however, most astrocytoma tumors are of the high-grade variety.

Astrocytoma at 40x Magnification - Following diagnosis of astrocytoma, the first priority is generally to relieve any excess intracranial pressure, which can be achieved by administration of steroids to reduce swelling or through the application of a shunt to drain excess fluid.

Astrocytoma at 10x Magnification - The lowest-grade astrocytomas, which are sometimes known as pilocytic gliomas, have a five-year survival rate of approximately 70 percent, but the outlook for patients with higher-grade tumors is significantly less propitious.