MediAI

  Keywords: anaplastic astrocytoma, glioma, brain tumor MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, brain cancer treatment, neuroimaging, glioma diagnosis, WHO grade III astrocytoma, brain tumor prognosis Introduction Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) is a malignant, diffusely infiltrating astrocytic tumor classified as WHO grade III under the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors. It represents an aggressive stage in the astrocytoma spectrum, bridging the gap between low-grade diffuse astrocytomas and glioblastomas (WHO grade IV). Despite advances in neuroimaging and molecular diagnostics, the management of AA remains challenging due to its infiltrative growth, molecular heterogeneity, and high recurrence potential. This article provides a comprehensive overview of pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment of anaplastic astrocytoma. It also features a...