CNS Tumors Flashcards
Diffuse Astrocytoma
Rosenthal Fiber
What tumor type are Rosenthal Fibers associated with?
Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Glomeruloid Tufts (in Glioblastoma)
Eosinophilic Granular Body, found in cystic areas of pilocytic, astrocytoma
Cystic cerebellar lesion with a contrast-enhancing mural nodule (Pilocytic Astrocytoma)
Necrotic Glioblastoma
Rosenthal fiber
Pilocytic Astrocytoma - compact and spongy parts
Gemistocytic Variant of Diffuse Astrocytoma
Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Oligodendroglioma
Distinctive features of these glial-derived tumors include round, regularly appearing neoplastic cells without obvious cytoplasmic processing. Note the presence of small, branching, delicate capillary processes in the background. These are so-called “chicken wire capillaries.” Interspersed between tumor cells are small, reactive astrocytes, which are recognizable due to their fine, eosinophilic, cytoplasmic processes.
Oligodendroglioma, Chicken-wire capillaries
Oligodendroglioma with chicken wire capillaries
Green: neuron – prominent nucleolus, large nuclei
Blue: oligodendrocyte – round nuclei, compact chromatin, barely any cytoplasm
Light blue: astrocyte – oval to elongated nuclei, open chromatin, scant prominent eosinophilic cytoplasm
Ependymoma With Rosettes and Canals
Normal Ependymal Lining
Ependymoma
Pilocytic Astrocytoma (from wikipedia)
Perivascular pseudorosette
This rosette consists of tumor cells collected around a blood vessel. It’s called a pseudorosette because the central structure isn’t part of the tumor. In the past, the term pseudorosette meant any rosette that didn’t have a truly empty lumen…but it seems that designation is kind of outdated. These rosettes are common in ependymomas, but you also see them in medulloblastoma, PNET, central neurocytomas, and glioblastomas.
True Rosette
This rosette (seen in ependymoma) consists of tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen. It is thought that these structures represent attempts by the tumor cells to recreate little ventricles with ependymal lining. One thing to note: although these guys are characteristic of ependymoma, they’re not seen in every case. In fact, it’s fairly uncommon to find them at all (they’re only present in a small percentage of well-differentiated ependymoma).
Perivascular pseudorosette, Ependymoma
Homer Wright Rosette
This rosette, named for James Homer Wright, the first director of the Massachusetts General Hospital, is typically seen in neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs). It consists of a halo of tumor cells surrounding a central region containing neuropil (hence its association with tumors of neuronal origin).
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma
Medulloblastoma, with Homer Wright Rosettes
Medulloblastoma, Neurofilament protein used to detect differentiation
What tumor type(s) are Homer Wright Rosettes associated with?
neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas, and primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs)
What tumor type is “chicken wire” associated with?
Oligodendroglioma - goes along with “fried eggs”