Glioblastoma multiforme is a cancer of astrocytes. Astrocytes support the nerve cells of the brain.The brain is the control centre for the body. It is comprised of millions of individual nerve cells which are all interconnected. It is located at the top of the spinal cord and is encased in hard bone.
The brain tissue is composed of white matter (nerve tracts) as well as grey matter (neurones and glial cells). The neurones are surrounded by glial cells - cells which are important for support of the neurones, synthesis of myelin, and forming the blood-brain barrier. One type of glial cell is the astrocyte.
