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==Overview==
==Overview==
There are two broad classes of classification identified within astrocytomas, based on histology, as to whether the zones of infiltration of cancer cells are narrow or diffuse.
There are two broad classes of classification identified within astrocytomas, based on [[histology]], as to whether the zones of [[infiltration]] of [[cancer]] [[cell]]s are narrow or diffuse.
==Classification==
==Classification==
Within the astrocytomas, there are two broad classes recognized in literature, those with:
Within the astrocytomas, there are two broad classes recognized in literature, those with:
* Narrow zones of infiltration (mostly invasive tumors; e.g., pilocytic astrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma), that often are clearly outlined on diagnostic images
* Narrow zones of [[infiltration]] (mostly invasive [[tumor]]s; e.g., [[pilocytic astrocytoma]], subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma), that often are clearly outlined on diagnostic images
* Diffuse zones of infiltration (e.g., low-grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma), that share various features, including the ability to arise at any location in the CNS, but with a preference for the cerebral hemispheres; they occur usually in adults; and an intrinsic tendency to progress to more advanced grades.<ref> http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/283453-overview </ref>
* Diffuse zones of [[infiltration]] (e.g., low-grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, [[glioblastoma]]), that share various features, including the ability to arise at any location in the [[CNS]], but with a preference for the [[cerebral hemispheres]]; they occur usually in adults; and an intrinsic tendency to progress to more advanced grades.<ref> http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/283453-overview </ref>


===Grading===
===Grading===
Line 17: Line 17:
* '''Grade 4''' — [[glioblastoma multiforme]] (most common)
* '''Grade 4''' — [[glioblastoma multiforme]] (most common)


* The WHO-grading scheme is based on the appearance of certain characteristics: [[atypia]], [[mitosis]], endothelial proliferation, and [[necrosis]]. These features reflect the malignant potential of the [[tumor]] in terms of invasion and growth rate. [[Tumors]] without any of these features are grade I, and those with one of these features (usually atypia) are grade II. [[Tumors]] with 2 criteria and tumors with 3 or 4 criteria are WHO grades III and IV, respectively. Thus, the low-grade group of astrocytomas are grades I and II. According to the WHO data the lowest grade astrocytomas (grade I) make up only 2% of recorded astrocytomas, grade II 8%, and the higher grade anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) 20%. The highest graded astrocytoma (grade IV GBM) is the most common primary [[nervous system neoplasm|nervous system cancer]] and second most frequent brain tumor after brain [[metastasis]].  Despite the low incidence of astrocytomas compared to other human cancers, mortality is significant, as the higher grades (III & IV) present high mortality rates (mainly due to late detection of the neoplasm).
* The WHO-grading scheme is based on the appearance of certain characteristics: [[atypia]], [[mitosis]], [[endothelial proliferation]], and [[necrosis]]. These features reflect the [[malignant]] potential of the [[tumor]] in terms of invasion and growth rate. [[Tumors]] without any of these features are grade I, and those with one of these features (usually atypia) are grade II. [[Tumors]] with 2 criteria and [[tumor]]s with 3 or 4 criteria are WHO grades III and IV, respectively. Thus, the low-grade group of astrocytomas are grades I and II. According to the WHO data the lowest grade astrocytomas (grade I) make up only 2% of recorded astrocytomas, grade II 8%, and the higher grade anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) 20%. The highest graded astrocytoma (grade IV GBM) is the most common primary [[nervous system neoplasm|nervous system cancer]] and second most frequent [[brain tumor]] after [[brain]] [[metastasis]].  Despite the low incidence of astrocytomas compared to other human [[cancer]]s, mortality is significant, as the higher grades (III & IV) present high mortality rates (mainly due to late detection of the [[neoplasm]]).


* Various types of astrocytomas are given these WHO grades:
* Various types of astrocytomas are given these WHO grades:
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* Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
* Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
*[[Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma]]
*[[Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma]]
*Subependymoma
* Subependymoma
| Consist of slow growing astrocytomas, benign, and associated with long-term survival.  Individuals with very slow growing tumors where complete surgical removal by [[stereotactic surgery]] is possible may experience total remission.<ref name=mdguidelines>[http://www.mdguidelines.com/astrocytoma mdguidelines.com > Astrocytoma] Retrieved on Mars 26, 2010</ref> Even if the surgeon is not able to remove the entire [[tumor]], it may remain inactive or be successfully treated with radiation.
| Consist of slow growing astrocytomas, benign, and associated with long-term survival.  Individuals with very slow growing [[tumor]]s where complete surgical removal by [[stereotactic surgery]] is possible may experience total [[remission]].<ref name=mdguidelines>[http://www.mdguidelines.com/astrocytoma mdguidelines.com > Astrocytoma] Retrieved on Mars 26, 2010</ref> Even if the surgeon is not able to remove the entire [[tumor]], it may remain inactive or be successfully treated with [[radiation]].
|-
|-
| II
| II
|
|
*Low-grade (fibrillary astrocytoma) astrocytoma
* Low-grade (fibrillary astrocytoma) astrocytoma
*Mixed oligoastrocytoma
* Mixed oligoastrocytoma
| Consist of relatively slow-growing astrocytomas, usually considered benign that sometimes evolve into more malignant or as higher grade [[tumors]].  
| Consist of relatively slow-growing astrocytomas, usually considered [[benign]] that sometimes evolve into more [[malignant]] or as higher grade [[tumors]].  
|-
|-
| III
| III
Line 46: Line 46:
| IV
| IV
| [[Glioblastoma multiforme]] (GBM)
| [[Glioblastoma multiforme]] (GBM)
| Consists of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is the most common and most malignant primary [[brain tumor]]. <ref name="mainstay">quoted from http://www.mayoclinic.org/glioma/glioblastoma.html{{full}}</ref> Less than 10% form more slowly following degeneration of low-grade astrocytoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. These are called secondary GBM.
| Consists of [[glioblastoma multiforme]] (GBM), which is the most common and most [[malignant]] primary [[brain tumor]]. <ref name="mainstay">quoted from http://www.mayoclinic.org/glioma/glioblastoma.html{{full}}</ref> Less than 10% form more slowly following degeneration of low-grade astrocytoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. These are called secondary [[glioblastoma multiforme]].
|}
|}


==See Also==
==See Also==
{{main|pilocytic astrocytoma|glioblastoma multiforme}}
{{main|pilocytic astrocytoma|glioblastoma multiforme}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 11:02, 24 August 2015

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

There are two broad classes of classification identified within astrocytomas, based on histology, as to whether the zones of infiltration of cancer cells are narrow or diffuse.

Classification

Within the astrocytomas, there are two broad classes recognized in literature, those with:

  • Narrow zones of infiltration (mostly invasive tumors; e.g., pilocytic astrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma), that often are clearly outlined on diagnostic images
  • Diffuse zones of infiltration (e.g., low-grade astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma), that share various features, including the ability to arise at any location in the CNS, but with a preference for the cerebral hemispheres; they occur usually in adults; and an intrinsic tendency to progress to more advanced grades.[1]

Grading

Astrocytomas have great variation in their presentation. The World Health Organization acknowledges the following grading system for astrocytomas:

  • The WHO-grading scheme is based on the appearance of certain characteristics: atypia, mitosis, endothelial proliferation, and necrosis. These features reflect the malignant potential of the tumor in terms of invasion and growth rate. Tumors without any of these features are grade I, and those with one of these features (usually atypia) are grade II. Tumors with 2 criteria and tumors with 3 or 4 criteria are WHO grades III and IV, respectively. Thus, the low-grade group of astrocytomas are grades I and II. According to the WHO data the lowest grade astrocytomas (grade I) make up only 2% of recorded astrocytomas, grade II 8%, and the higher grade anaplastic astrocytomas (grade III) 20%. The highest graded astrocytoma (grade IV GBM) is the most common primary nervous system cancer and second most frequent brain tumor after brain metastasis. Despite the low incidence of astrocytomas compared to other human cancers, mortality is significant, as the higher grades (III & IV) present high mortality rates (mainly due to late detection of the neoplasm).
  • Various types of astrocytomas are given these WHO grades:
WHO Grade Astrocytomas Description
I Consist of slow growing astrocytomas, benign, and associated with long-term survival. Individuals with very slow growing tumors where complete surgical removal by stereotactic surgery is possible may experience total remission.[2] Even if the surgeon is not able to remove the entire tumor, it may remain inactive or be successfully treated with radiation.
II
  • Low-grade (fibrillary astrocytoma) astrocytoma
  • Mixed oligoastrocytoma
Consist of relatively slow-growing astrocytomas, usually considered benign that sometimes evolve into more malignant or as higher grade tumors.
III Anaplastic astrocytoma
IV Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) Consists of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumor. [3] Less than 10% form more slowly following degeneration of low-grade astrocytoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. These are called secondary glioblastoma multiforme.

See Also

References

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