Neuro tumors Flashcards
Characteristics of astrocytoma
Originates from atrocytes
Immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and diffuse (ill-demarcated) pattern of growth
Pilocytic astrocytoma is a well-differentiated, benign astrocytic tumor that arises throughout the neuroaxis; it is common in children and young adults
Sites of involvement include posterior fossa (cerebellum) and diencephalon
Radiographical characteristics of astrocytoma
Most show cystic lesion with a mural nodule
Histologically characteristics of astrocytoma
Shows spindly neoplastic astrocytes with long bipolar processes
Rosenthal fibers
What are rosenthal fibers?
Thick, corkscrew-like eosinophilic structures that derive from hypertrophic processes of atrocytes
Characteristics of fibrillary (diffuse) astrocytoma
Low grade tumor that arises in the cerebral hemisphere of young to middle-aged and the brainstem of children
IDH1 positive
Characteristics of anaplastic astrocytoma
Cellular, pleomorphic and mitotically active
Characteristics of glioblastoma
Most common CNS primary malignancy in adults
Histological characteristics of gliomblastoma
Shows necrosis and/or vascular proliferation in addition to features seen in anaplastic astrocytoma
Characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme
Tendency to cross midline by involving the corpus callosum (“butterfly glioma”)
Characteristics of oligo dendroglioma
Occurs more often in adults than in children
Cortical location; may cause seizures
Slow-growing
Tumors with deletions of 1P or 19q respond well to therapy
Histological characteristics of oligo dendroglioma
Perinuclear halos are a fixation artifact that is not seen on frozen section
Characteristics of ependymoma
Located in the fourth ventricle in children, where it presents with obstructive hydrocephalus
In adults the spinal cord is the most common site
Multifocality in the spinal cord is associated with NF2
Histological characteristics of ependymoma
Pseudorosettes are a helpful diagnostic feature on microscopic study
Characteristics of embryonal (primitive) tumors
Group of small round cell tumors that occur predominantly in children
In the cerebellum they are called medulloblastoma
Most common malignant brain tumor in children
Characteristics of schwannoma
Originates from schwann cells of cranial or spinal nerves
Most frequent location is on CN8 at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA)
Manifests characteristically with unilateral loss of hearing and tinnitus
Prognosis good after resection
S100 positive
NF1