Q Zhang1, X Su, S Liang. 1. Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital, Shandong Medical University, Jinan 250012.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference between cerebellar medulloblastoma (MB) and primary cerebral small cell tumor in histogenesis, morphologic features and biological behavior. METHODS: 210 cases of MB and 9 cases of small cell tumor of cerebrum were observed with histologic and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Both tumors were composed of primitive cells with focal evidence of glial and/or neuronal differentiation. In 63.2% of MB and five-eighths of small cell tumor of cerebrum coexpressed GFAP and Syn. Both types of tumors were highly malignant. The overall 1 year survival rates were 34.63% and 25.65% respectively. The survival rate was lower for patients with high proliferative index, with necrosis or without receiving radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: MB is similar to other small cell tumors of CNS in morphological features, specific marker expression and biological behavior. These tumors can be classified as primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors (PNET).
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference between cerebellar medulloblastoma (MB) and primary cerebral small cell tumor in histogenesis, morphologic features and biological behavior. METHODS: 210 cases of MB and 9 cases of small cell tumor of cerebrum were observed with histologic and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Both tumors were composed of primitive cells with focal evidence of glial and/or neuronal differentiation. In 63.2% of MB and five-eighths of small cell tumor of cerebrum coexpressed GFAP and Syn. Both types of tumors were highly malignant. The overall 1 year survival rates were 34.63% and 25.65% respectively. The survival rate was lower for patients with high proliferative index, with necrosis or without receiving radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: MB is similar to other small cell tumors of CNS in morphological features, specific marker expression and biological behavior. These tumors can be classified as primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors (PNET).