An Overview of Glial Tumours

 Introduction

Tata Memorial Hospital Neuro-Oncology data 2006

Etiology

Classification

Clinical Features

Imaging

Immuno-cytochemistry

Staging & Grading

Natural History of Astrocytomas

Prognostication

Oligodendroglioma

Ependymoma

Prognosis

Supportive Treatment

 

 

 

Classification:

§ Depending upon the origin classification done.

§ CNS tumours are divided into tumours derived from 1) glial cells, 2) neuronal cells,3) cells that surround or insulate the CNS, and 4) cells that form specialized anatomic structures.

Pathological Classification:

Astrocytic Tumour –

- Astrocytoma

- Anaplastic Astrocytoma

- Glioblastoma

- Pilocytic

- Pleomorphic xantoastrocytoma

- Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma

Oligodendroglial Tumour –

- Oligodendroglioma

- Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma

Ependymal Tumour –

- Ependymoma

- Anaplastic

- Myxopapillary Ependymoma

- Subependymoma

Mixed Glial Tumour –

Choroid plexus Tumour –

- Papilloma

- Carcinoma

Neuroepithelial Tumour –

- Astroblastoma

- Polar spongioblastoma

- Gliomatosis cerebri

Neuronal & mixed neuronal-glial Tumour –

- Gangliocytoma

- Ganglioglioma

- Anaplastic Ganglioglioma

- Dysembryoplastic

Pineal Tumour –

- Pineocytoma

- Pineoblastoma

Embryonal Tumour –

- Medulloepithelioma

- Neuroblastoma

- PNET

- Medulloblastoma

Tumour of cranial & spinal Nr.

· Schwanoma –

· Neurofibroma

· Meningioma

· Hemangiopericytoma

· Germ cell tumor

· Pituitary adenoma & carcinoma

· Craniopharyngioma

Metastatic

WHO Working Classification

o Glioblastoma – most common (30 - 40%)

o Anaplastic Astrocytoma – 15 to 20%

o Medulloblastoma

o Oligodendroglioma

o Ependymoma

o Meningioma

o Mixed Oligoastrocytoma

o Pliocytic Astrocytoma

o Others

§ Glial cells give rise to specific tumour types include astrocytes (astrocytomas), oligodendrocytes (oligodendrogliomas), and ependymal cells (ependymomas). These tumours together broadly called ‘Gliomas".

§ Proper and complete classification of tumours is important, because tumour subtyping can affect prognosis and treatment recommendations.


Brain Tumour Foundation Of India
189 B, 1 st Floor, Golden Jubilee Block, 

Tata Memorial Hospital, Ernest Borges Marg, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012, INDIA
Tel : 91-22-2417 7000, Ext : 4559. Fax : 022-2417 7159 / 2414 6937
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