[1] Initial presenting symptoms most commonly are headache, depressed mental status, focal neurological deficits, and/or seizures.

[2] The growth rate and mean interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is approximately 1.5–2 years but is highly variable,[2] being intermediate between that of low-grade astrocytomas and glioblastomas.

Unlike glioblastomas (WHO grade IV), anaplastic astrocytomas lack vascular proliferation and necrosis on pathologic evaluation.

Although temozolomide is effective for treating recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma, its role as an adjuvant to radiation therapy has not been fully tested.

In many cases, patients with anaplastic astrocytoma may experience various types of paralysis, speech impediments, difficulties planning and skewed sensory perception.