astrocytosis

as·tro·cy·to·sis

(as'trō-sī-tō'sis), An increase in the number of astrocytes, frequently observed in an irregular zone of variable definition adjacent to degenerative lesions (for example, encephalomalacia), focal inflammations (for example, abscesses), or certain neoplasms in the brain; in some instances, astrocytosis may be diffuse in a relatively large region; astrocytosis represents a reparative mechanism.