Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
astrocytoma
Pronunciation: as-tro-sy-TO-ma
A brain tumor arising from astrocytes, typically classified by grade (I-IV) in pathology reports.
Full Definition
A type of glioma that develops from star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes. These tumors are graded from I to IV based on their degree of malignancy, with Grade IV (glioblastoma) being the most aggressive. Astrocytomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults and require precise histopathological classification for treatment planning. The term appears frequently in neuropathology reports and requires careful attention to grade specification.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the grade when mentioned; avoid confusion with other glioma subtypes.
In Context
- "The biopsy confirmed a Grade II diffuse astrocytoma with IDH1 mutation." — pathology report
- "Astrocytoma recurrence rates vary significantly based on histological grade." — medical journal article
Also known as
astrocytic glioma
Don't confuse with
oligodendroglioma
ependymoma