Tumors of central nervous system are common, especially in children. The most common primary tumor is astrocytoma. Study of microscopic features of astrocytoma could help to diagnose and assess histologically this type of tumor more precisely. Subjects include 122 patients with astrocytoma diagnosed at Department of Pathology, Cho Ray Hospital from June 2003 to June 2004. Histological criteria of these 122 cases were atypical nuclear: 122 cases (100%), endothelial proliferation: 69 (56.5%), necrosis: 36 (29.5%), mitoses: 17 (13.9%), micro cystic: 17 (13.9%), calcification: 6 (4.9%), pseudorosettes: 8 (6.5%). The criteria such as atypical nuclear, endothelial proliferation, necrosis, mitoses, and cellularity are important factors in the diagnosis and histological grading of astrocytoma
Astrocytoma ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Child

There has been a marked increase in the utility of aspiration cytology for pathologic diagnosis. It may be applied to any kinds of organs and substitutes surgical biopsy. Because of the high risk of complication and difficulties in localization, aspiration cytology in the central nervous system(CNS) has been used with less frequency compared to other sites. However, with the advent of sophisticated imaging instruments, aspiration cytology of lesions in the CNS is being used increasingly. Cytologic features of the CNS neoplasms were quite similar to those of histology except one spindle cell tumor. Reviewing various CNS neoplasms, it appears that cytology may be a useful diagnostic method.
Biopsy ; Brain Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System* ; Diagnosis

Radiation therapy is highly effective for the management of pediatric malignant central nervous system (CNS) tumors including embryonal tumors. With the increment of long-term survivors from malignant CNS tumors, the radiation-related toxicities have become a major concern and we need to improve the treatment strategies to reduce the late complications without compromising the treatment outcomes. One of such strategies is to reduce the radiation dose to craniospinal axis or radiation volume and to avoid or defer radiation therapy until after the age of three. Another strategy is using particle beam therapy such as proton beams instead of photon beams. Proton beams have distinct physiologic advantages over photon beams and greater precision in radiation delivery to the tumor while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues. In this review, I provide the treatment principles of pediatric CNS embryonal tumors and the strategic improvements of radiation therapy to reduce treatment-related late toxicities, and finally introduce the increasing availability of proton beam therapy for pediatric CNS embryonal tumors compared with photon beam therapy.
Brain ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Central Nervous System ; Child ; Humans ; Proton Therapy ; Protons ; Survivors

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; Lymphoma*

During childhood, neuroblastoma is a relatively common malignant neoplasm which commonly metastasizes to other organs. Metastasis to the central nervous system from an extracranial neuroblastoma is rare, however, and brain parenchymal metastasis is very rare. We describe a case of brain parenchymal metastasis from primary abdominal neuroblastoma, and review the literature.
Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Central Nervous System ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroblastoma*

Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; secondary ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroblastoma ; pathology

Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal ; pathology

Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; therapy

Humans ; Meningioma/pathology* ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Meningeal Neoplasms/pathology* ; World Health Organization ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology*

Humans ; Child ; Glioma/pathology* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; World Health Organization ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mutation