(as-tro-sye-TOE-mas) Tumors that begin in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

These tumors, which develop from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes, range from slow growing and benign to fast-growing and malignant. They are a type of glioma (see below).

A type of tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Cells from higher grade, more abnormal-looking tumors usually grow faster and are more malignant than cells from lower grade tumors.