What Is Astrocytoma?

An astrocytoma is a type of brain tumor that develops in the specialized brain and spinal cord cells referred to as neurons or astrocytes. Tumors that initially form from the glia cells in the brain are referred to as gliomas, and astrocytes are a type of glial cell in the brain. The most prevalent form of glial tumors are astrocytomas, which comprise half of all diagnosed primary brain tumors. Astrocytomas occur more often in men than in women, and they tend to manifest after the fourth decade of life. The causes of astrocytomas are not currently known, but immunologic abnormalities, genetic abnormalities, stress, diet, exposure to ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and ultraviolet rays are factors with a contributory role in its pathophysiology. Astrocytomas occur more often in individuals affected by Turcot syndrome, Ollier's disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type-I tuberous sclerosis.