Astrocytoma

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An astrocytoma is a neoplasm derived from an astrocyte. Astrocytomas are common. This article deals with them. An overview of CNS tumours is found in the CNS tumours article.

Common

Glioblastoma

  • Previously known as glioblastoma multiforme (abbreviated GBM).

General

  • Median survival is measured in months.[1]
  • Only about 5% can expect to survive more than three years.[2]

Microscopic

Features:

  • Astrocytic tumour with:
    • Nuclear atypia.
    • Necrosis.
    • Endothelial proliferation (AKA microvascular proliferation).
    • +/-"Pseudopalisading necrosis" - tumour cells lined-up like a picket fence around necrotic areas.

Images:

IHC

  • GFAP +ve (cytoplasm).
  • IDH-1 -ve.
    • +ve if developed from lower grade astrocytoma. (???)

Uncommon

Pleomorphic xanthroastrocytoma

  • Abbreviated PXA.

General

  • Kids & young adults.
  • Prognosis usu. good.

Microscopic

Features:

  • Large cells with intracytoplasmic lipid accumulation, i.e. foamy cytoplasm - key features.[3]
    • May not be obvious/one may have to search for this.
  • Focal marked nuclear atypia - including hyperchromasia, marked nuclear enlargement, irregular chromatin.
  • Multinucleation - common.

Images:

IHC

Features:[4]

  • GFAP +ve -- required for Dx, may be patchy.
  • S-100 +ve -- cytoplasm, usu. diffuse.

Gliosarcoma

General

  • Considered to be a variant of glioblastoma by WHO.[5]
  • Rare ~ 200 cases reported in the literature.[5]
  • Definition: gliosarcoma = glioblastoma + sarcomatous component.[6]
  • Usual location (like glioblastoma): temporal lobe.

Microscopic

Features:

  • Glioblastoma.
  • Sarcomatous component (one of the following):[5][6]
    • Fibroblastic.
    • Cartilaginous.
    • Osseous.
    • Smooth muscle.
    • Striated muscle.
    • Adipocyte.

Image: Gliosarcoma - elastic von Gieson (WC).

See also

References

  1. Jubelirer, SJ.. "A review of the treatment and survival rates of 138 patients with glioblastoma multiforme.". W V Med J 92 (4): 186-90. PMID 8772403.
  2. Krex, D.; Klink, B.; Hartmann, C.; von Deimling, A.; Pietsch, T.; Simon, M.; Sabel, M.; Steinbach, JP. et al. (Oct 2007). "Long-term survival with glioblastoma multiforme.". Brain 130 (Pt 10): 2596-606. doi:10.1093/brain/awm204. PMID 17785346.
  3. URL: http://moon.ouhsc.edu/kfung/jty1/neurotest/Q14-Ans.htm. Accessed on: 13 January 2011.
  4. URL: http://www.pathconsultddx.com/pathCon/diagnosis?pii=S1559-8675%2806%2970469-7. Accessed on: 13 January 2011.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Han SJ, Yang I, Tihan T, Prados MD, Parsa AT (February 2010). "Primary gliosarcoma: key clinical and pathologic distinctions from glioblastoma with implications as a unique oncologic entity". J. Neurooncol. 96 (3): 313–20. doi:10.1007/s11060-009-9973-6. PMC 2808523. PMID 19618114. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2808523/.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Ayadi L, Charfi S, Khabir A, et al. (March 2010). "[Cerebral gliosarcoma: clinico-pathologic study of 8 cases]" (in French). Tunis Med 88 (3): 142–6. PMID 20415184.