Astrocytoma

January 12, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Rosalind Munoz, P.A., Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte.

Astrocytoma is a type of spinal cord and brain tumor that begins in cells called astrocytes. Although it’s the most common type of brain tumor affecting adults, astrocytoma only accounts for around 15,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States.

What Is Astrocytoma?

Astrocytoma belongs to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. It develops when cells called astrocytes begin to grow out of control and form tumors. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell – the term for the different kinds of cells that support the tissue and nerves in the brain.

Astrocytoma can be slow-growing or fast-growing, depending on factors such as the size, location and genetic makeup of the tumor. It can affect several different parts of the brain or spinal cord.

Is Astrocytoma Cancer?

When astrocytoma is diagnosed, it may be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). In some cases, benign astrocytoma can turn into malignant astrocytoma. Benign astrocytoma is usually referred to as grade 1 or grade 2, while malignant astrocytoma is usually called grade 3 or grade 4.

Astrocytoma vs. Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common type of astrocytoma, accounting for 6 out of every 10 diagnoses. Glioblastoma is a fast-growing, aggressive form of brain cancer and most often develops as a high-grade tumor in adults over the age of 60.

Astrocytoma Symptoms

People who develop astrocytoma may or may not experience symptoms, depending on factors like the size, location and grade of the tumor. However, some common signs and symptoms of astrocytoma include:

• Headaches that don’t go away
• Seizures
• Changes in personality
• Problems with cognition, concentration or making decisions
• Numbness in the arms, legs or other extremities

Causes and Risk Factors

Astrocytoma tumors develop when genetic mutations in a person’s astrocyte cells cause these cells to grow out of control and form a tumor. The exact reason for these mutations is not yet fully understood, but some risk factors for astrocytoma include:

• Having certain genetic conditions, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis or Turcot syndrome
• Being assigned male at birth, since astrocytoma is slightly more common among men
• Exposure to radiation therapy during treatment for a prior head or neck cancer

Diagnosis and Testing

Doctors may recommend a range of tests to help detect and diagnose astrocytoma.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses strong magnets to create images of the inside of the brain, which can help detect tumors.
• A biopsy is a procedure in which expert surgeons remove some or all of a tumor so that it can be tested for cancer cells.
• A neurological examination is a comprehensive test, often performed by a neurologist or neuro-oncologist. It tests a patient’s cognitive functions, such as their reflexes, sensory perception, memory and critical thinking skills.

Grades

When diagnosing an astrocytoma brain tumor, a patient’s cancer care team will assign the tumor a grade numbered between 1 and 4. Grade 1 and grade 2 astrocytomas are low-grade tumors, meaning they tend to be slower-growing and are more likely to be benign. Grade 3 and grade 4 astrocytomas are high-grade, meaning they are more likely to be faster-growing and malignant. Brain tumor grades are based on how abnormal tumor cells appear under a microscope and how quickly or significantly these cells are growing.

Astrocytoma Grade 1

Grade 1 astrocytomas are slow-growing, with cells that appear mostly normal and are not multiplying quickly. Most grade 1 astrocytoma tumors are treated surgically and many require no further treatment.

Astrocytoma Grade 2

Grade 2 astrocytoma is sometimes referred to as diffuse astrocytoma. At this stage, the tumor has slightly abnormal cells that may be multiplying more quickly. Diffuse astrocytoma is invasive, meaning it has spread beyond its original location into the surrounding tissue. It may be treated with surgery alone or with multiple therapies.

Astrocytoma Grade 3

Grade 3 astrocytoma is sometimes referred to as anaplastic astrocytoma. Grade 3 astrocytoma shows a higher number of abnormal cells and spreads more quickly. It usually requires multiple kinds of treatment.

Astrocytoma Grade 4

Grade 4 astrocytoma is often referred to as glioblastoma. It is the most common grade of astrocytoma and is a fast-growing, aggressive form of cancer that has a large number of abnormal cells. It is highly invasive and hard to treat effectively.

Astrocytoma Treatment

Creating an effective treatment plan for astrocytoma may involve one or more types of therapy. Some treatment options for astrocytoma include:

• Surgery to remove the tumor, which is the most common first step in treating many astrocytoma, and may cure lower-grade tumors.
• Chemotherapy, which is the use of medications that are designed to target and kill cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy, which involves using high-powered beams of radiation or radioactive material placed near a tumor to destroy cancer cells.

Who Treats Astrocytomas?

Patients diagnosed with astrocytoma receive expert care from a multidisciplinary team that may include:

• Neuro-oncologists, who are doctors who specialize in cancers of the brain and central nervous system.
• Neurosurgeons with expertise in removing tumors from the brain and spinal cord.
• Medical oncologists, who are experts in using medications like chemotherapy and targeted therapies to treat brain tumors.
• Pathologists, who help diagnose astrocytoma using tissue and tumor samples.
• Radiation oncologists, who use advanced radiation therapy to target cancer cells.
• Specialized pharmacies, which offer access to medications for hard-to-treat conditions.
• Supportive medicine providers, who offer patients access to support for the physical, emotional and social side effects of brain tumors and their treatment.

Astrocytoma Survival Rate

The survival rates for astrocytoma vary based on a wide range of factors, including the size and location of the tumor, what grade the tumor is when it is diagnosed and a patient’s age and overall health.

• Patients with grade 1 or 2 astrocytoma survive, on average, around 6 to 8 years after surgery. However, more than 40% of patients survive more than 10 years.
• Among patients with grade 3 astrocytoma, around 27% survive longer than 5 years after diagnosis.
• Patients with grade 4 astrocytoma (glioblastoma) survive, on average, between one and one-and-a-half years. Approximately 5% survive beyond 5 years after their initial diagnosis.

Patients should speak with the care team for a personalized prognosis that takes into account such factors as their tumor size, overall health and tumor grade.