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Astrocytic Tumors

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Central Nervous System Intraoperative Cytopathology

Part of the book series: Essentials in Cytopathology ((EICP,volume 13))

Abstract

Astrocytic tumors constitute the most numerous and heterogeneous group of gliomas, with an incidence estimated at 60% of all primary intracranial neoplasms. Because of the variety and complexity of astrocytic tumors, for their intraoperative study, it is advisable to divide them into two important groups: (1) diffuse astrocytic tumors, a group of widely infiltrative neoplasms –considered to be surgically incurable – that includes diffuse astrocytomas (grades II to IV), diffuse midline glioma, and gliomatosis cerebri, and (2) localized “nondiffuse” astrocytic tumors, a group of relatively circumscribed neoplasms – in which attempt of gross total resection is the treatment of choice – that includes pilocytic astrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. Therefore, distinguishing diffuse astrocytic tumors (any type) from localized “nondiffuse” astrocytic tumors (any type) during surgery remains the main goal for the improvement of treatment planning. In this chapter, the cytomorphologic features and intraoperative differential diagnosis of all these entities are reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Pathology, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain

    César R. Lacruz

  2. Professor of Pathology, University Hospital Extremadura, Medical School, Badajoz, Spain

    Javier Saénz de Santamaría

  3. Pathologist, Director Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration Service, Outpatient Pathology Associates / Precision Pathology, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Ricardo H. Bardales

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  1. César R. Lacruz
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  2. Javier Saénz de Santamaría
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  3. Ricardo H. Bardales
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Lacruz, C.R., Saénz de Santamaría, J., Bardales, R.H. (2018). Astrocytic Tumors. In: Central Nervous System Intraoperative Cytopathology. Essentials in Cytopathology, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98491-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98491-9_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98490-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98491-9

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