Pilocytic astrocytoma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ICD-10 | C71. |
---|---|
ICD-9 | 191 |
ICD-O: | M9421/1 |
eMedicine | radio/367 |
Pilocytic astrocytoma is a brain tumor that occurs predominantly in children and involves the midline, basal and posterior fossa structures. It is generally considered a benign tumor of childhood. It is often cystic and if solid, it tends to be well circumscribed. It is characteristically a contrast enhancing tumour by current imaging investigations (e.g. CT scan, MRI)
Microscopically, the tumor is composed of bipolar cells with long "hairlike" GFAP-positive processes. Rosenthal fibers, eosinophilic granular bodies and microcystes are often present.
It is classified as Grade 1 Astrocytoma.