Both anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas spread through the extracellular space and along compact white matter tracts. They may also occur in adults, although much less commonly. The post-operative survival is longer than other types of astrocytomas. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the maximal amount of the tumor that can be removed without producing neurological deficits. In tumors composed of a nodule and a cyst, excision of the nodule is sufficient.
Treatment is usually non-surgical.