Recurrent childhood cerebral astrocytoma is a tumor that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The tumor may recur many years after the first tumor. High-grade cerebral astrocytoma, however, usually recurs within 3 years after it is first diagnosed. A recurrent tumor may come back in the brain or in other parts of the central nervous system.

Glossary Terms

A tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

CNS. The brain and spinal cord. Also called CNS.

One half of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions and also controls speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning. The right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body, and the left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the body.

The process of identifying a disease by the signs and symptoms.

When referring to cancerous and precancerous growths, a term used to describe cells that look abnormal under a microscope. These cells are more likely to grow and spread quickly than cells in low-grade cancerous and precancerous growths.

Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body. Also called recurrence.

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.