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Childs Nerv Syst 2019 Apr 17. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Division of Neurosurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) is a World Health Organization (WHO) grade I tumor that is the commonest to occur in the 0-19 age group, with an excellent prognosis of 96% 10-year survival in pediatric patients. Complete resection is the treatment of choice for JPAs. However, this is not always feasible due to the location of certain tumors, and the management following subtotal resection is controversial. Read More

J Neurosci Methods 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Functional MRI Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Weill-Cornell Graduate School of the Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA.

Purpose: Preoperative functional MRI (fMRI) is limited by a muted BOLD response caused by abnormal vasoreactivity and resultant neurovascular uncoupling adjacent to malignant brain tumors. We propose to overcome this limitation and more accurately identify eloquent areas adjacent to brain tumors by independently assessing vasoreactivity using breath-holding and incorporating these data into the fMRI analysis.

Methods: Local vasoreactivity using a breath-holding paradigm with the same timing as the functional motor and language tasks was determined in 16 patients (9 glioblastomas, 1 anaplastic astrocytoma, 5 low grade astrocytomas, and 1 metastasis) and 6 healthy control subjects. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2019 Jan-Mar;14(1):300-303

Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Pilomyxoid astrocytomas (PMAs) are generally seen in young children and tend to occur in the hypothalamic-chiasmatic region. Their presence in other parts of the brain in the nonpediatric age group is uncommon. In addition, hemorrhage in such low-grade tumors is an occasional event. Read More

Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud 2019 Apr 1;5(2). Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.

A 52-yr-old man was found to have a 6.6-cm left frontotemporal mass. Biopsy revealed a low-grade astrocytic neoplasm with significant infiltration and an unusual morphologic appearance. Read More

Front Neurol 2019 15;10:212. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.

Health related quality of life (HRQOL) measures have become increasingly important in the management of glioma patients in both research and clinical practice settings. Functional impairment is common in low-grade and high-grade glioma patients as the disease has both oncological and neurological manifestations. Natural disease history as well as medical or surgical treatment can negatively influence HRQOL. Read More

Brain Tumor Pathol 2019 Mar 30. Epub 2019 Mar 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Yokohama City University, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa, Yokohama, 2360004, Japan.

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs) have relatively favorable prognosis and some resectable PLGGs, such as cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma, can be cured by surgery alone. However, many PLGG cases are unresectable and some of them undergo tumor progression. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to treat PLGG patients. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 Mar;23(3):261-273

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, and, unfortunately, many subtypes continue to have a suboptimal long-term outcome. During the last several years, however, remarkable advances in our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of these tumors have occurred as a result of high-resolution genomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic profiling, which have provided insights for improved tumor categorization and molecularly directed therapies. While tumors such as medulloblastomas have been historically grouped into standard- and high-risk categories, it is now recognized that these tumors encompass four or more molecular subsets with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Read More

Curr Oncol Rep 2019 Mar 5;21(4):30. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., 1914 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Temozolomide is a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In this review, we will examine the use of temozolomide in other contexts for treating gliomas, including recurrent glioblastoma, glioblastoma in the elderly, diffuse low- and high-grade gliomas, non-diffuse gliomas, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.

Recent Findings: Temozolomide improved survival in older patients with glioblastoma, anaplastic gliomas regardless of 1p/19q deletion status, and progressive ependymomas. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 May 2;63:168-175. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

RPA Institute of Academic Surgery (IAS), Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. Electronic address:

The objective was to determine the impact of surgical resection and adjuvant therapies on survival in intramedullary ependymoma and astrocytoma. Secondary goals were to determine predictors of survival in surgical patients including histological grading, age and gender. Searching of Medline, Embase and Clinicaltrials. Read More

Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res 2018 Oct;12(4):265-272

Department of Neurosurgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is a rare tumour of children and young adults, particularly for those with features of anaplasia. This retrospective study comprises five cases of anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas diagnosed over a period of 4 years in a tertiary care institute. A detailed clinicopathological and immunohistochemical profile of the tumours were noted from the hospital database. Read More

Am J Clin Oncol 2019 Apr;42(4):391-398

Departments of Radiation Oncology.

Purpose: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9802 has established postoperative radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy sequentially as the new standard of care for patients with high-risk low-grade glioma (LGG) meeting trial criteria. Although this trial investigated sequential chemoradiation therapy (sCRT) with RT followed by chemotherapy, it is unknown whether concurrent chemoradiation therapy (cCRT) may offer advantages over sCRT.

Materials And Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for newly diagnosed World Health Organization (WHO) grade II glioma. Read More

BMC Cancer 2019 Feb 11;19(1):139. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.

Background: Intracranial and intraspinal tumours are the most numerous solid tumours in children. Some recently defined subtypes are relatively frequent in childhood. Many cancer registries routinely ascertain CNS tumours of all behaviours, while others only cover malignant neoplasms. Read More

J Neurosurg Pediatr 2019 Feb 8:1-5. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

5Radiology, Oslo University Hospital; and.

OBJECTIVEThe authors conducted a study to delineate the long-term results of the surgical treatment of pediatric pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs).METHODSAll consecutive children and adolescents (0-20 years) who underwent primary tumor resection for a PXA during the years 1972-2015 were included in this retrospective study on surgical morbidity, mortality rate, academic achievement, and/or work participation. Gross motor function and activities of daily living were scored according to the Barthel Index. Read More

Pediatr Blood Cancer 2019 May 28;66(5):e27625. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant disorder commonly caused by PTPN11 germline mutations. Patients are characterized by short stature, congenital heart defects, facial dysmorphism, and increased risk of malignancies including brain tumors. Commonly associated brain tumors are dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor and low-grade glioma. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019 May 23;104(1):149-156. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida.

Purpose: Dosimetric studies show that proton therapy can reduce the low/intermediate radiation dose to uninvolved tissue in children with low-grade glioma (LGG). For this reason, LGG is the fourth most common pediatric tumor treated with proton therapy, yet clinical outcome data on efficacy and toxicity are limited.

Methods And Materials: We reviewed the medical records of 174 children (≤21 years old) with nonmetastatic LGG enrolled on a prospective protocol and treated with proton therapy between 2007 and 2017. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address:

Objective: We studied the accuracy of the radiologic diagnosis of lateral ventricular masses in children (<20 years of age).

Methods: In this retrospective study, data were collected from children with lateral ventricular masses managed in our unit between 2001 and 2016. There were 43 patients (26 boys and 17 girls; mean age, 12. Read More

Turk Neurosurg 2018 Oct 17. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Heinrich-Braun-Clinic.

Aim: In glioblastoma multiforme, the balance between the procoagulant system, anticoagulant system and fibrinolytic system is impaired in favour of hypercoagulability. The aim of this study was to compare glioblastoma multiforme with astrocytoma grade II by subjectively evaluating the levels of prothrombin and biotinylation thrombin, and G protein serum protease activatin receptors, as tissue factors causing hypercoagulation and affecting coagulation.

Material And Methods: Specimens from 35 cases with glioblastoma multiforme and 23 cases with astrocytoma grade II were evaluated immunohistochemically. Read More

Cureus 2018 Oct 27;10(10):e3505. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, USA.

Hyponatremia post-neurosurgical intervention can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Two of its most common causes are cerebral salt wasting (CSW) and syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone release (SIADH). CSW is proposed to be secondary not only to the elevated levels of circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) but inhibition of steroidogenesis in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex, thus resulting in mineralocorticoid deficiency. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address:

Background: The revised WHO classification of central nervous system tumors, published in 2016, has recognized the H3 K27M mutation as a critical genetic signature defining a new group of infiltrative astrocytomas designated "diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M mutant". Although the majority of H3 K27M mutations arise in the setting of diffusely infiltrative tumors, there are rare reports of compact tumors with low-grade histologic features harboring this mutation. The prevalence and clinical significance of this mutation in pilocytic astrocytomas remain unclear. Read More

Neuro Oncol 2019 Jan 8. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Background: Pediatric patients with brain tumors who are treated with radiation therapy (RT) are at risk for neurocognitive and psychosocial late effects. Research to date has primarily examined these outcomes at a group level and in isolation. Advanced statistical techniques allow for person-centered analyses, as well as examination of relationships between domain-specific trajectories. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Mar 8;142(1):203-210. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University and Uppsala University Childrens' Hospital, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.

Introduction: Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common brain tumour in childhood but knowledge concerning its long-term outcome is sparse. The aim of the study was to investigate if children treated for low-grade pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa had complications affecting physical and psychological health, cognitive functions, learning difficulties and HRQoL.

Methods: A descriptive single-centre study, where 22 children and young adults out of 27 eligible patients (81%) treated for pilocytic astrocytoma, with a mean follow-up time of 12. Read More

Pediatr Neurosurg 2019 8;54(1):36-45. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health Science Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA,

Background: Gangliogliomas are low-grade neoplasms that typically affect patients under the age of 30 and present with epilepsy and symptoms of mass effect. Here, we report a case of an intraventricular ganglioglioma involving the septum pellucidum in a pediatric patient with history of optic glioma. Only one other pediatric intraventricular ganglioglioma arising from the septum pellucidum has been reported previously. Read More

Eur Radiol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 407 E 61st Street Suite 107, New York, NY, 10065, USA.

Objectives: Texture analysis performed on MRI images can provide additional quantitative information that is invisible to human assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis on preoperative conventional MRI images in predicting early malignant transformation from low- to high-grade glioma and compare its utility to histogram analysis alone.

Methods: A total of 68 patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) were included in this study, 15 of which showed malignant transformation. Read More

J Neurosurg 2019 Jan;130(1):9-16

OBJECTIVEThe goal of this article is to review the history of surgery for low- and high-grade gliomas located within the insula with particular focus on microsurgical technique, anatomical considerations, survival, and postoperative morbidity.METHODSThe authors reviewed the literature for published reports focused on insular region anatomy, neurophysiology, surgical approaches, and outcomes for adults with World Health Organization grade II-IV gliomas.RESULTSWhile originally considered to pose too great a risk, insular glioma surgery can be performed safely due to the collective efforts of many individuals. Read More

Childs Nerv Syst 2019 Mar 4;35(3):421-428. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Academic Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova Medical School, via Giustiniani 5, 35100, Padova, Italy.

Purpose: The choice between sitting and prone position to access the infratentorial space in a suboccipital craniotomy is still a matter of debate. The comparisons in terms of complications and outcome of both positions are scarce, and the pediatric population is indeed more infrequent in these in scientific reviews. In this paper, we assess intraoperative and postoperative complications and neurological outcome in pediatric patients undergoing posterior cranial fossa surgery for pilocytic astrocytoma in sitting and prone position respectively. Read More

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2019 Apr 4;145(4):839-850. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.

Purpose: Diffuse midline gliomas, H3 K27M-mutant were introduced as a new grade IV entity in WHO classification of tumors 2016. These tumors occur often in pediatric patients and show an adverse prognosis with a median survival less than a year. Most of the studies on these tumors, previously known as pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, are on pediatric patients and its significance in adult patients is likely underestimated. Read More

Onco Targets Ther 2018 4;11:8673-8684. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tumorbiology Laboratory, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,

Background: ATF5 suppresses differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells and is overexpressed in glioblastoma (GBM). A reduction of its expression leads to apoptotic GBM cell death. Data on ATF5 expression in astrocytoma WHO grade II (low-grade astrocytoma [LGA]) are scarce and lacking on recurrent GBM. Read More

No Shinkei Geka 2018 Dec;46(12):1073-1079

Department of Neurosurgery(Omori), School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University.

Hemorrhagic low-grade glioma(LGG)without malignant transformation is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cases. To the best of our knowledge, hemorrhagic LGG with an arteriovenous(AV)shunt has not been reported. We report the case of 17-year-old man with LGG with an AV shunt. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 20;141(2):373-382. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo - USP, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.

Purposes: Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a low-grade neoplasm frequently found in childhood. PA is characterized by slow growth and a relatively good prognosis. Genetic mechanisms such as activation of MAPK, BRAF gene deregulation and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndrome have been associated with PA development. Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2018 Dec;64(12):1129-1133

Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brasil.

Objective: This study aims to compare estrogen receptor expression between low and high-grade astrocytomas.

Method: A study using paraffin blocks of glial tumors from the Anatomy Pathology archives of São Marcos Hospital was carried out and began after approval by the Review Board of the Federal University of Piaui. Specimens were histochemically marked with an anti-ER alpha antibody. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Semmes Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute, Memphis, Tennessee.

This video demonstrates microsurgical resection of low-grade (Grade I) thoracic spinal cord astrocytoma. Astrocytomas are the most common pediatric intramedullary tumors and occur secondary to ependymomas in adults.1,2 The treatment goal should be radical gross total resection while preserving neurological function with intraoperative neuromonitoring. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2019 Mar;43(3):422-431

Departments of Pathology.

Overgrowth of neuroglial tissue is rare in testicular germ cell tumors and mostly reported as isolated cases. We retrospectively reviewed 13 cases of testicular germ cell tumors from 2 institutions from 1995 to 2018. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were collected and reviewed. Read More

Childs Nerv Syst 2019 Mar 15;35(3):411-420. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, Academic Division of Child Health, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.

Purpose: This is the first UK multi-centre case-controlled study with follow-up in excess of 10 years to report the neurocognitive, academic and psychological outcomes of individuals diagnosed with a brain tumour in early childhood. Children enrolled into the UKCCSG CNS 9204 trial, diagnosed with intracranial ependymoma when aged ≤ 36 months old, who received a primary chemotherapy strategy to defer or avoid radiotherapy, were recruited.

Methods: Outcomes of those who relapsed and subsequently received radiotherapy (n = 13) were compared to those enrolled who did not relapse (n = 16), age-matched controls-diagnosed with solid non-central nervous system (SN-CNS; n = 15) tumours or low-grade posterior fossa pilocytic astrocytoma (PFPA; n = 15), and normative data. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2019 Jan 6;161(1):161-169. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

IRCCS San Camillo Hospital Foundation, Neuropsychology Unit, Lido, Venice, Italy.

Background: Pediatric patients with circumscribed cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) tumors generally perform within the normal range on neuropsychological tests after a complete tumor resection. The outcome in academically relevant abilities such as mathematics, which in adults involve some cerebellar functions, is however much less understood. The aim of this study is to retrospectively investigate the neuroplasticity of mathematical skills and associated cognitive functions following cerebellar resection of PA in pediatric patients. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Mar 6;61:14-21. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Primary spinal cord tumors are rare, and evidence-based management of these patients remains a source of controversy. This study used a large cohort of low-grade spinal cord astrocytomas to determine the effectiveness of prognostic factors and survival.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry was used to identify patients with WHO grade I-II primary spinal cord astrocytomas from 1973 to 2012; however, patients before 2006 were excluded due to ambiguity diagnosis. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Feb 24;60:153-155. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem, autosomal dominant disorder with a wide clinical spectrum. The most common brain tumor associated with TSC is the low grade subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Reports of high grade primary brain tumors in patients with TSC are rare. Read More

Cancer Invest 2018 Dec 3:1-12. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

a Department of Neurosurgery , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary.

Aim Of The Study: Astrocytomas are primary CNS malignancies which infiltrate the peritumoral tissue, even when they are low-grade. Schwannomas are also primary CNS tumors, however, they do not show peritumoral infiltration similarly to brain metastases which almost never invade the neighboring parts of brain. Extracellular matrix is altered in composition in various cancer types and is proposed to play an important role in the development of invasiveness of astrocytic tumors. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 29;141(2):383-391. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Purpose: WHO grade II gliomas are uncommon in patients over the age of 60, and there is a lack in consensus regarding their management. We present molecular tumor characteristics as well as clinical outcomes in patients over the age of 60 undergoing surgical resection of a WHO grade II glioma.

Methods: After receiving IRB approval, patients were identified through the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Two techniques, the translongitudinal cerebral fissure and transfrontal cortical approach, can be employed to resect posterior cingulate gyrus tumors. We demonstrate the transcortical technique comprising of multimodal imaging guidance and awake brain mapping which enabled maximum safe resection of dominant cingulate gyrus glioma. The patient, a 49-yr-old female, came to clinic after experiencing headache for a month. Read More

Neuro Oncol 2018 Nov 10. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI, USA.

Background: Although considerable progress has been made in understanding molecular alterations driving gliomagenesis, the diverse metabolic programs contributing towards the aggressive phenotype of glioblastoma remain unclear. The aim of this study was to define and provide molecular context to metabolic reprogramming driving gliomagenesis.

Methods: Integrative cross-platform analyses coupling global metabolomic profiling with genomics in patient-derived glioma (low-grade astrocytoma [LGA; n=28] and glioblastoma [n=80]) was performed. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan 1;30(1):85-93. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M779, San Francisco, CA 94143-0112, USA.

Surgical resection plays a central role in the management of gliomas however many tumors are within areas resulting in sensorimotor and cognitive consequences. This article reviews the evidence in support of extent of resection to improve survival, symptom management, and time to malignant transformation in low-grade gliomas. The authors summarize the evolving literature regarding the role of maximal safe resection in light of WHO subclassification of low-grade gliomas. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan;30(1):17-25

Department of Neurosurgery, Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, Neuroscience Institute, Brain Tumor Center, NYU School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Skirball 8R, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address:

Advances in genome sequencing have elucidated the genetics of low-grade glioma. Available evidence indicates a neomorphic mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) initiates gliomagenesis. Mutant IDH produces the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate, which inhibits enzymes that demethylate genomic DNA and histones. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan;30(1):1-16

Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Dan Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030-3498, USA. Electronic address:

Incidence, prevalence, and survival for diffuse low-grade gliomas and diffuse anaplastic gliomas (including grade II and grade III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas) varies by histologic type, age at diagnosis, sex, and race/ethnicity. Significant progress has been made in identifying potential risk factors for glioma, although more research is warranted. The strongest risk factors that have been identified thus far include allergies/atopic disease, ionizing radiation, and heritable genetic factors. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2019 Jan 23;23(1):641-655. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Key regulators of the Wnt signalling, DVL1, DVL2 and DVL3, in astrocytomas of different malignancy grades were investigated. Markers for DVL1, DVL2 and DVL3 were used to detect microsatellite instability (MSI) and gross deletions (LOH), while immunohistochemistry and immunoreactivity score were used to determine the signal strengths of the three DVL proteins and transcription factors of the pathway, TCF1 and LEF1. Our findings demonstrated that MSI at all three DVL loci was constantly found across tumour grades with the highest number in grade II (P = 0. Read More

Magn Reson Imaging 2019 04 19;57:254-258. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Texture analysis performed on MR images can detect quantitative features that are imperceptible to human visual assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis on preoperative conventional MRI to discriminate between histological subtypes in low-grade gliomas (LGGs), and to determine the utility of texture analysis compared to histogram analysis alone.

Methods: A total of 41 patients with LGG, 21 astrocytoma and 20 1p/19q codeleted oligodendroglioma were included in this study. Read More

Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2018 30;22(3):205-208. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

Department of Pathology, Chair of Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.

Angiocentric features are uncommon in high-grade World Health Organisation (WHO) brain tumours, whilst they are typical for WHO grade I tumours, e.g. angiocentric gliomas. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019 Mar 10;103(4):861-868. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. Electronic address:

Purpose: To determine the rate of marginal relapse, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG) treated with conformal radiation therapy (CRT) with a clinical target volume (CTV) margin of 5 mm in the Children's Oncology Group trial ACNS0221.

Methods And Materials: Patients aged 3 to 21 years with unresectable progressive, recurrent, or residual PLGG were eligible for this study. Patients younger than 10 years were required to have received at least 1 chemotherapy course. Read More

Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2018 Nov 21;166:39-49. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Gaspard Monge Computer Science Laboratory, ESIEE-Paris, University Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, France. Electronic address:

Background And Objective: Nowadays, getting an efficient Brain Tumor Segmentation in Multi-Sequence MR images as soon as possible, gives an early clinical diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. The aim of this study is to develop a new deep learning model for the segmentation of brain tumors. The proposed models are used to segment the brain tumors of Glioblastomas (with both high and low grade). Read More

Cancer Med 2018 Dec 30;7(12):5973-5987. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Background: The update of 2018 NCCN guidelines (central nervous system cancers) recommended the risk classification of postoperative patients diagnosed as adult low-grade (WHO grade II) infiltrative supratentorial astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma (ALISA/O) should take tumor size into consideration. Moreover, the guidelines removed postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for low risk patients. Our study aimed to explore the specific tumor size to divide postoperative patients into relatively low- or high risk subgroups and the effect of PORT for ALISA/O patients. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Feb 23;60:155-157. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are slow-growing low-grade gliomas, commonly diagnosed as cerebellar tumors among the pediatric and adolescent population. Characteristic neuroradiologic findings in PA include a cystic mass with enhancing solid nodule. While uncommon radiologic features of PA, including non-enhancing cystic tumors, have been previously described, we present a unique case of a patient with a non-enhancing solid cerebellar PA. Read More