Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in a 62-year-old male

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma has been described as a distinct clinicopathological entity with a relatively favourable prognosis. However, tumours closely resembling this entity have been shown to have the potential for aggressive behaviour, and to represent, on closer scrutiny, a number of disparate neoplasms. A case is described which, although otherwise typical of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, occurred in a man of 62 years, and it is suggested that it should be considered a specific histological, rather than a clinicopathological entity.