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Immunophenotype of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
Caterina Giannini1, Bernd W Scheithauer, Maria B S Lopes
1Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Giannini.Caterina@Mayo.edu
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|March 27, 2002
Summary
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) shows glial and some neuronal markers. While PXA is primarily glial, its relationship to glioneuronal neoplasms and neuronal differentiation remains unclear, with no evidence of PXA precursor status.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cellular pathology
Background:
- Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare brain tumor often linked to seizures in young adults.
- PXA is considered astrocytic but may exhibit neuronal differentiation, suggesting a link to glioneuronal neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the glial and neuronal differentiation in PXA.
- To explore the relationship between conventional PXA and PXA-gangliogliomas (PXA-GG).
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of 40 PXA cases (including 2 PXA-GGs) with glial and neuronal markers.
- Ultrastructural analysis of nine PXA cases.
Main Results:
- All PXAs expressed glial markers (GFAP, S-100).
- Significant neuronal marker expression (beta-tubulin, synaptophysin) was observed in PXA.
- PXA-GGs showed neuronal markers, but conventional PXAs lacked chromogranin A.
- Ultrastructural studies confirmed neuronal features in some PXA cases.
Conclusions:
- PXA exhibits both glial and neuronal differentiation.
- The exact relationship between PXA and PXA-GG is not fully elucidated.
- No evidence suggests conventional PXA is a precursor to PXA-GG.