[Prognostic analyses of intramedullary high grade astrocytomas]
Wentao Gu1, Shixin Gu1, Jiajun Shou1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
Objective:
To explore the prognostic factors of intramedullary high grade astrocytomas.
Methods:
Retrospective analyses were conducted for 21 surgical patients with high grade astrocytoma in spinal cord during 2008 to 2012 at our hospital. Their preoperative and postoperative profiles were recorded and evaluated by modified McCormick classification scheme.
Results:
Their median age was 32.5 years. There were anaplastic astrocytoma (n = 14) and glioblastoma (n = 7). The prognoses of high grade astrocytomas were correlated with pathology grade and MIB-1 index. No statistic significance existed in age, gender, McCormick score, extent of resection, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Conclusion:
Intramedullary high grade astrocytoma has a low incidence, but its outcome is poor. Once definitely diagnosed, operation is recommended as early as possible. Frozen pathology should be performed to determine the extent of resection. After operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also suggested.
