Gemistocytic astrocytoma

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sujit Routray, M.D. [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Gemistocytic astrocytomas; Diffuse astrocytoma; Low grade astrocytoma

Overview

Gemistocytic astrocytoma is a histologic subtype of low grade astrocytoma, with a poorer prognosis than other matched WHO grade II astrocytic tumors, and with no specific imaging features.[1]

Pathophysiology

Pathogenesis

  • Gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by a significant gemistocyte population, which are large cells with their cytoplasm filled with eosinophilic material displacing the nucleus eccentrically.[2]
  • It is important to note that other gliomas (e.g. fibrillary astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma) can have occasional gemistocytes, without being designated a gemistocytic astrocytoma. A cut off of 20% of the tumor cells being gemistocytes may be used before designating it as a gemistocytic astrocytoma.

Gross Pathology

Microscopic Pathology

  • On microscopic histopathological analysis, gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by:[2][4]
  • Neoplastic fibrillary astrocytes embedded in the tumor matrix
  • Gemistocytes > 20%
  • Low cellular density
  • Mild nuclear atypia (enlarged, irregular contour, hyperchromasia, and coarsened nuclear chromatin pattern)
  • Mucinous fluid containing microcystic spaces
  • No mitoses, microvascular proliferation, and necrosis

Differentiating Fibrillary Astrocytoma from other Diseases

  • Gemistocytic astrocytoma must be differentiated from:[5]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Prevalence

Age

  • Gemistocytic astrocytoma is a rare disease that tends to affect the children and young adult population.[6]
  • The peak age at which gemistocytic astrocytoma is diagnosed ranges between 20-40 years.
  • The mean age at diagnosis is 35 years.

Gender

  • Males are more commonly affected with gemistocytic astrocytoma than females. The male to female ratio is approximately 1.5 to 1.[6]

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Natural History

Complications

  • Common complications of gemistocytic astrocytoma include:[7][4]

Prognosis

  • Gemistocytic astrocytoma has a poorer prognosis than the other matched WHO grade II (low-grade) astrocytic tumors ([[fibrillary astrocytoma, protoplasmic astrocytoma, and oligoastrocytoma).[1]
  • The 5-year survival rate of patients with gemistocytic astrocytoma is approximately 30%.[8]
  • The median survival time with treatment is only 2.5 years.

History and Symptoms

History

  • When evaluating a patient for gemistocytic astrocytoma, you should take a detailed history of the presenting symptom (onset, duration, and progression), other associated symptoms, and a thorough family and past medical history review.

Symptoms

  • Symptoms of gemistocytic astrocytoma include:[7]

CT

  • Head CT scan is helpful in the diagnosis of gemistocytic astrocytoma. On CT scan, gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by:[9]
  • Isodense or hypodense mass
  • Positive mass effect
  • Wispy enhancement ( most low-grade astrocytomas are without any enhancement. In fact, presence of enhancement would suggest more aggressive tumors)
  • Calcification in 10-20% (more common in mixed tumors relating to an oligodendroglial components, i.e. oligoastrocytoma)
  • Cystic or fluid attenuation components

MRI

  • Brain MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of gemistocytic astrocytoma. On MRI, gemistocytic astrocytoma is characterized by:[9]
MRI component Findings

T1

  • Isointense to hypointense compared to white matter
  • Usually confined to the white matter and causes expansion of the adjacent cortex

T2

  • Hyperintense compared to white matter
  • Always follow the white matter distribution and cause expansion of the surrounding cortex
  • Cortex can also, be involved in late cases in comparison to the oligodendroglioma, which is a cortical based tumor from the start
  • "Microcystic changes" along the lines of spread of the infiltrative astrocytoma is a very unique behavior for the infiltrative astrocytoma, however, it is only appreciated in a few number of cases
  • Hyperintense T2 signal is not related to cellularity or cellular atypia, but rather edema, demyelination, and other degenerative changes

T1 with contrast

  • No enhancement
  • Small ill-defined areas of enhancement are not rare; however, when enhancement is seen, it should be considered as a warning sign for progression to a higher grade

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)

  • No restricted diffusion
  • Increased diffusibility is the key to differentiate the gemistocytic astrocytoma from the acute ischemia

Other Imaging Findings

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

  • Elevated choline peak, low N-Acetylaspartate peak, elevated choline:creatine ratio
  • Elevated myo-inositol (mI) and mI/creatine ratio
  • Lack of the lactate peak seen at 1:33
  • Lactate peak represents the necrosis seen in aggressive tumors (WHO grade IV)

Magnetic Resonance Perfusion

  • MR perfusion may be helpful in the diagnosis of gemistocytic astrocytoma, which demonstrates no elevation of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV).[9]

Biopsy

  • Biopsy of gemistocytic astrocytoma tumor, taken through a needle during a simple surgical procedure, helps to confirm the diagnosis.[10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 Pathology of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  3. Radiographic features of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  4. 4.0 4.1 Pathology of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  5. Differential diagnosis of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 5, 2016
  6. 6.0 6.1 Epidemiology of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Clinical presentation of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  8. Treatment and prognosis of gemistocytic astrocytoma. Dr Henry Knipe and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gemistocytic-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Radiographic features of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016
  10. Treatment and prognosis of low grade infiltrative astrocytoma. Dr Ahmed Abd Rabou and A.Prof Frank Gaillard et al. Radiopaedia 2016. http://radiopaedia.org/articles/low-grade-infiltrative-astrocytoma. Accessed on January 8, 2016

Template:WH Template:WS