Choroid plexus carcinoma

Choroid plexus carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm of the central nervous system most commonly found in the pediatric population. It is associated with a dismal prognosis, especially if incompletely resected. Accurate histopathologic diagnosis is imperative, and this neoplasm should always be included in the differential diagnosis of a papillary intraventricular tumor. Histopathologic features include blurring of papillary architecture, layers of neoplastic choroid plexus epithelial cells with pleomorphic nuclei, increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, increased mitotic activity, areas of necrosis, and brain invasion. Current accepted treatment is gross total surgical resection of the tumor as the goal. Use of adjuvant chemotherapy is controversial at this time; however, it is considered in some cases.