Astrocytoma is a cancer type that can develop in the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytoma forms in the cells called astrocytes. The function of astrocytes is to support nerve cells. Astrocytoma symptoms depend on the location of your tumor. For example, astrocytomas that appear in the brain can cause seizures, nausea and headaches. Astrocytomas that appear in the spinal cord can cause weakness and disability in the area hit by the developing tumor. An astrocytoma can be a slow-growing tumor, or it can be aggressive cancer that proliferates. The aggressiveness of your astrocytoma determines your diagnosis and treatment options.