Gemistocytic astrocytoma
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Gemistocytic astrocytomas; Diffuse astrocytoma; Low grade astrocytoma
Overview
Gemistocytic astrocytoma is a histologic subtype of low grade astrocytoma, with a poorer prognosis than other matched WHO grade II tumors, and with no specific imaging features.[1]
Pathophysiology
Pathogenesis
- Gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by a significant gemistocyte population, which are large cells with their cytoplasm filled with eosinophilic material displacing the nucleus eccentrically.[2]
- It is important to note that other gliomas (e.g. fibrillary astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma) can have occasional gemistocytes, without being designated a gemistocytic astrocytoma. A cut off of 20% of the tumor cells being gemistocytes may be used before designating it as a gemistocytic astrocytoma.
Differentiating Fibrillary Astrocytoma from other Diseases
- Gemistocytic astrocytoma must be differentiated from:[3]
- Fibrillary astrocytoma
- Protoplasmic astrocytoma
- Oligoastrocytoma
- Stroke
- Cerebritis
- Encephalitis (herpes simplex encephalitis)
- Anaplastic astrocytoma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Angiocentric glioma
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
Age
- Gemistocytic astrocytoma is a rare disease that tends to affect the children and young adult population.[4]
- The peak age at which gemistocytic astrocytoma is diagnosed ranges between 20-40 years.
- The mean age at diagnosis is 35 years.
Gender
- Males are more commonly affected with gemistocytic astrocytoma than females. The male to female ratio is approximately 1.5 to 1.[4]
History and Symptoms
History
- When evaluating a patient for gemistocytic astrocytoma, you should take a detailed history of the presenting symptom (onset, duration, and progression), other associated symptoms, and a thorough family and past medical history review.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of gemistocytic astrocytoma include:[5]
References
- ↑ Gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
- ↑ Pathology of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
- ↑ Differential diagnosis of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 5, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Epidemiology of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
- ↑ Clinical presentation of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016