Practical molecular diagnostics in neuropathology: making a tough job a little easier

Neuropathology is a challenging field, in large part because of the consequential decisions that must be made with small biopsy material. This is especially true concerning the most common primary brain tumor, the infiltrative glioma. Fortunately, abundant research has identified specific molecular alterations that are characteristic of gliomas, according to diagnostic class and tumor grade. Such alterations include 1p19q codeletion, EGFR amplification, p16 deletion, and IDH1/2 mutations. Using specific cases as examples, this review illustrates how molecular testing is of great help in avoiding misdiagnoses and enhancing the quality of information provided to clinicians.