Case 41 - Discussion

Uploaded: 2007-04-15, Updated: 2007-06-22

Glioblastoma Multiform (grade III astrocytoma).

Microscopic Description:

The tumor shows variable areas of increased cellularity of pleomorphic glial cells, some small and round and others fibrillary. There is marked vascular endothelial proliferation which is accentuated with CD34 stain. The astrocytes are decorated with GFAP. Neurofilament protein shows few filaments in the area of the tumor. The LCA and CD68 show few inflammatory cells, but mitigated against the process being inflammatory.

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY:

Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cell bodies and cell processes are widely separated from one another in an amorphous matrix. They also exhibit a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and irregular nuclear borders. The nuclei are also oval and elongated and contain single large nucleoli. The cytoplasm of the malignant cells contain numerous mitochondria with some rough endoplasmic reticulum.
(Interpretation performed by Drs. WJH and SZ)

Clinical Futures

Gross Findings

Microscopic Findings

Subtypes

Differential Diagnosis

Immunohistochemistry Straining

Election Microscopy

Cytogenetics

Treatment and Prognosis

Reference