What type of tumor primarily affects astrocytes?

Astrocytoma is a type of tumor that primarily arises from astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes play a crucial role in supporting neuronal function, maintaining the blood-brain barrier, and regulating blood flow in the central nervous system. The term "astrocytoma" specifically indicates that the tumor has a glial origin, derived from these astrocytic cells.

This distinction is important because different types of brain tumors have different cellular origins and behaviors. For instance, meningiomas originate from the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the brain, while neuroblastomas arise from neuroblasts, typically in the sympathetic nervous system, and are more common in children. Metastatic tumors are secondary tumors that spread to the brain from other sites in the body, rather than originating from cells in the central nervous system. Thus, astrocytoma uniquely identifies a tumor arising from astrocytes specifically, making it the correct answer.