Elsevier

Human Pathology

Volume 23, Issue 12, December 1992, Pages 1402-1409
Human Pathology

Original contribution
Desmoplastic cerebral astrocytomas of infancy: A histopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular genetic study

https://doi.org/10.1016/0046-8177(92)90061-7Get rights and content

Abstract

The desmoplastic cerebral astrocytoma of infancy (DCAI) is a rare tumor that presents as a large hemispheric mass in infants. Despite an ominous histologic picture that may resemble a sarcoma, the tumor is astrocytic and has a good prognosis. We present two cases of DCAI, with histopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular genetic data, and draw the following conclusions: (1) the diagnosis of DCAI requires a high index of suspicion and immunohistochemical or ultrastructural proof of astrocytic differentiation; (2) the data argue against nosologically equating these tumors with the desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, or gliofibroma; (3) the components of the extensive tumor basal lamina may be elaborated by the tumor cells themselves and may contribute in an autocrine fashion to the slow growth of these lesions; and (4) if the lack of allelic loss on chromosomes 17p (including the p53 tumor suppressor gene locus) and 10 seen in our cases is found in other cases of DCAI, this may further distinguish the DCAI from other astrocytomas.

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    This work was supported by grant no. CD 455 from the American Cancer Society to Dr Seizinger.

    1

    Dr Louis is supported by National Institutes of Health/Public Health Service NRSA grant no. F32 CA 09144

    2

    Dr von Deimling is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

    3

    Dr Seizinger is a recipient of a Faculty Research Award from the American Cancer Socie

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