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Published on: January 14, 2014
Intraventricular pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with anaplastic features
Yong-Juan Fu1, Hiroaki Miyahara, Takeo Uzuka
1Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Niigata, Japan. fuyongjuan@bri.niigata-u.ac.jp
Summary
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), a rare brain tumor, can present as an intraventricular mass in adults. Differentiating PXA from giant cell glioblastoma (GCG) can be histopathologically challenging.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare astrocytic tumor typically found in pediatric and young adult patients, usually in the cerebral hemispheres with a favorable prognosis.
- This study focuses on an atypical presentation of PXA in an adult patient.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male presented with a supratentorial, intraventricular tumor.
- Histopathological examination revealed pleomorphic cells, multinucleated giant cells, xanthic changes, reticulin deposits, lymphocytic infiltrates, and necrosis.
- Immunohistochemistry showed GFAP positivity, with some cells positive for neurofilament protein, synaptophysin, and CD34. p53 was negative.
Findings:
- The tumor exhibited features of PXA with anaplastic characteristics.
- Immunoprofiling suggested neuronal differentiation in some tumor cells.
- Histopathological differentiation between PXA and giant cell glioblastoma (GCG) was challenging due to overlapping features.
Implications:
- This case highlights that PXA can manifest as an intraventricular tumor in adults.
- The findings underscore the diagnostic difficulty in distinguishing PXA from GCG based solely on histopathology.
- Further research may be needed to establish clearer diagnostic criteria for these rare entities.
