grade IV astrocytoma

grade IV as·tro·cy·to·ma

astrocytoma of high grade; World Health Organization designation.
See also: glioblastoma multiforme.

gli·o·blas·to·ma mul·ti·for·me

(glī'ō-blas-tō'mă mŭl'ti-fōr'mē) A glioma consisting chiefly of undifferentiated anaplastic cells of glial origin that show marked nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, and vascular endothelial proliferation; frequently, tumor cells are arranged radially about an irregular focus of necrosis; these neoplasms grow rapidly, invade extensively, and occur most frequently in the cerebrum of adults.
Synonym(s): grade IV astrocytoma. [G. glia, glue, + blastos, germ, + -oma, tumor]