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.

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.

Differentiating Fibrillary Astrocytoma from other Diseases

• Gemistocytic astrocytoma must be differentiated from:

• Fibrillary astrocytoma
• Protoplasmic astrocytoma
• Oligoastrocytoma
• Stroke
• Cerebritis
• Encephalitis (herpes simplex encephalitis)
• Anaplastic astrocytoma
• Oligodendroglioma
• Angiocentric glioma

Epidemiology and Demographics

Age

• Gemistocytic astrocytoma is a rare disease that tends to affect the children and young adult population.
• 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.