Astrocytoma
Share this page:
Malignant brain tumors
Malignant brain tumors are graded on a scale from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most aggressive. As the grade of the tumor increases, the rapidity of growth and aggressiveness of the tumor tends to increase.The most common malignant primary brain tumors are the Grade 3 and 4 astrocytomas. These tumors tend to be relatively large when they present, often measuring greater than 4 cm in size. Common symptoms include headache, pressure symptoms such as nausea, gait instability, or seizure activity. If possible, these tumors are completely resected, but it is often times impossible to completely resect them because of their proximity to or involvement of surrounding critical normal structures in the brain.
Pilocytic Brain Tumor
Written by Damon E. Smith, M.D. – Radiation Oncologist