Brain Stem Gliomas pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
The brain stem gliomas are classified into 4 subtypes, and each has its distinct histological features:
- Diffuse astrocytoma
- Usually fibrillary astrocytomas
- WHO grades II-IV
- Grade does not impact on prognosis, and thus biopsy is usually not necessary
- Focal glioma
- Fibrillary astrocytoma (grade II): most common histology
- Pilocytic astrocytoma
- Ganglioglioma
- (Dorsally) exophytic glioma
- Low grade astrocytoma
- Ganglioglioma
- NF1-associated brainstem glioma
- Seen in up to 9% of NF1 patients
- Most frequently seen in the medulla
- Appears similar to a sporadic focal brainstem glioma but has an even better prognosis, with little if any progression