Affiliation:
1. 2 year MD Pathology, Madras Medical College, RGGH, Chennai-03.
2. Professor of Pathology, Institute of Neurosurgery/Neurology, Madras Medical College, RGGH, Chennai-03
Abstract
The histogenesis and biological behavior of primary tumors of the central nervous system(CNS) are very diverse. The majority of present gliomas
as benign, slow growing lesions classied as by the WHO classicati grade I or II (Low grade gliomas) on of CNS tumors.
However, a signicant fraction of gliomas develop over a short period of time and progress rapidly and are therefore classied as WHO grade III
or IV(High grade gliomas).
Astrocytomas are primary central nervous system tumours that can develop in adults or in children. They arise from the Astrocytes. They can be
divided into diffuse that generally have a higher grade and poorer prognosis and those that are localised that tend to be of a lower grade and have a
better prognosis.
In this study, we outline the basic histological spectrum and features, epidemiological aspects and grade of circumscribed gliomas (localised) or
other Astrocytic tumours according to WHO classication . These are the Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma, Subependymal giant
cell Astrocytoma, Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and Anaplastic astrocytoma . The knowledge of these tumours are important as they are one of
the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity in both the young and old, accounting for about 60% of the glial tumours. Therefore
neuropathological diagnosis and tumour characteristics will therefore profoundly inuence the impact of treatment strategies.
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