Astrocytomas

Last updated on Saturday, April 4 2009 by jdmiles

Glia is made up of astrocytes, ologodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. Tumors that appear to arise from astrocytes are called astrocytomas.

Astrocytomas are a varied group of primary brain tumors, and there are many subtypes. The prognosis and treatment will vary from subtype to subtype. For example, diffuse astrocytomas are considered Grade II tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a Grade IV tumor with a very poor prognosis.

Several subtypes of astrocytoma are shown in this section. Click any of the links or thumbnails for more information.

Related images:

Anaplastic astrocytoma infiltrating corpus striatum, H&E stain x 200
Infiltrating astrocytoma cells preferentially migrate along white matter tracts, and appear to have difficulty infiltrating through gray matter structures (as opposed to oligodendroglial tumors, which often infiltrate through gray matter).

Gemistocytic astrocytoma, H&E stain x 100
Gemistos is derived from the greek word meaning filled up. The presence of significant numbers of gemistocytic astrocytes generally portends a more aggressive course similar to that of anaplastic astrocytomas.

Lipoastrocytoma, H&E stain x100
The presence of mature fat within primary brain tumors is unusual, and is most frequently seen associated with neural differentiation (medullocytoma). Mature fat within astrocytic lesions is extremely rare.

Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma, Surgical Exposure
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is one of a small group of superficially situated glial tumors that are commonly invade into the arachnoid, but also paradoxically tend to demonstrate indolent biologic behavior.

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Brainstem gliomas

SEGA

Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma