Anaplastic astrocytoma

Anaplastic astrocytoma

Definition

Anaplastic astrocytoma is a rare, high-grade, malignant glial tumor, histologically characterized by abundance of pleomorphic astrocytes and multiple mitotic figures, often associated with diffuse infiltration of the surrounding tissue, considerable edema and mass effect and involvement of the contralateral brain. Depending on the primary localization of the tumor, patients can present with signs of raised intracranial pressure (headache, vomiting, papilledema), seizures, progressive neurological deficits, and/or behavioral changes. The tumor is most commonly localized in the frontal and temporal lobes, brain stem and spinal cord.

Also known as anaplastic astrocytoma, astrocytoma, anaplastic, malignant, grade III astrocytic neoplasm, grade III astrocytic tumor, grade III astrocytic tumour, grade III astrocytoma, malignant astrocytoma — per MONDO

Also identified as

Affected Organs

Organ Involvement Source
Central nervous system Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Central nervous system Disease Has Primary Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system Disease Has Associated Anatomic Site NCIT · CC BY 4.0