Table 1.
Tumor type | Subtype | Grade | Histology | Location | Prevalent age group | Therapy | Prognosis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astrocytomas | Pilocytic astrocytoma | I | Pilocytic cell morphology, less infiltrative, low proliferative activity. | Cerebellum, optic pathway, brainstem, thalamus and spine. | Children (0 to 16) |
Surgical resection, adjuvant therapies considered in the case of incomplete surgical resection. | Excellent (100% 5-year survival; 96% 10-year survival) |
Diffuse astrocytoma | II | Infiltrative with low proliferative potential but often recurs. Can progress to higher grades in adults. | Cerebrum, optic pathway, brainstem, hypothalamus, thalamus and spine. | Young adults (20 to 39 years) | Surgery; adjuvant therapies considered on a case by case basis. | Moderate (58% 5-year survival) | |
Anaplastic astrocytoma | III | Infiltrative, with nuclear atypia and higher mitotic activity. | Cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem and spine | Adults | Surgical resection when possible, followed by adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. | Poor (11% 5-year survival) | |
Glioblastoma multiforme | IV | Infiltrative,nuclear atypia, high mitotic activity, pseudopalissading necroses, florid microvascular proliferation. | Cerebrum, cerebellum and spine, but brainstem gliobastoma multiforme (DIPGs) are more frequent in children. | Adults, except DIPG, which is prevalent in children below 10 years of age | Surgical resection when possible, followed by adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. | Very poor (1.2% 5-year survival) |
DIPG, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.