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Living with Astroblastoma

A rare brain tumor made of glial cells, most often in the large upper part of the brain, mostly in children and young adults.

Understanding Astroblastoma

Astroblastoma is a rare brain tumor made of glial cells, usually found in the cerebral hemisphere.

It can occur at any age but is most common in children and young adults. Signs depend on where the tumor is and how large it is. Because these tumors are rare, little is known about how they behave or how best to manage them.

Signs & symptoms

GARD says symptoms depend on the tumor's location and size. The most common are:

  • Headaches
  • Seizures

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and cancer specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Children's Brain Tumor Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What grade is my tumor, and what does that mean?
Is radiation or chemotherapy being considered, and why?
Which specialists should be on my care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually starta variety of ages

GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.

Neurological

Also known as: astroblastoma (morphologic abnormality)

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · AstroblastomaGARD ID 10635 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Astroblastoma.

Explore the Astroblastoma blog

Explore research for Astroblastoma

Explore actively recruiting Astroblastoma studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Astroblastoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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