Do pilocytic astrocytomas have a benign course in adult patients?
Herbert B Newton
Correspondence Dardinger Neuro-Oncology Center, Department of Neurology, Ohio State University Medical Center, 465 Means Hall, 1654 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Email newton.12@osu.edu
This article has no abstract so we have provided the first paragraph of the full text.
PCAs are generally considered to be benign brain tumors, with a pathological designation of WHO grade I.1, 2 They usually occur during childhood; however, approximately 20–25% can arise after 18 years of age. In most series of adult brain tumors, PCAs account for 4–6% of new cases. Pathologically, the tumors have a characteristic low-grade appearance, with Ki-67 labeling indices of 1–2%. Anaplastic degeneration to more-malignant pathology (i.e. WHO grade III or IV) is uncommon, occurring in less than 2% of cases. Similar to pediatric patients, the prognosis for adults with PCA is favorable, with median survival estimates in the 8–10-year range.1, 2 These data are consistent with a recent report of 20 adult patients with supratentorial PCA, who had an estimated 10-year survival rate of 95% and well-maintained neurological function.3
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