Paediatric low-grade glioma: the role of classical pathology in integrated diagnostic practice

Childs Nerv Syst. 2024 Oct;40(10):3189-3207. doi: 10.1007/s00381-024-06591-6. Epub 2024 Sep 18.

Abstract

Low-grade gliomas are a cause of severe and often life-long disability in children. Pathology plays a key role in their management by establishing the diagnosis, excluding malignant alternatives, predicting outcomes and identifying targetable genetic alterations. Molecular diagnosis has reshaped the terrain of pathology, raising the question of what part traditional histology plays. In this review, we consider the classification and pathological diagnosis of low-grade gliomas and glioneuronal tumours in children by traditional histopathology enhanced by the opportunities afforded by access to comprehensive genetic and epigenetic characterisation.

Keywords: Glioma; MAP kinase; Nervous system neoplasms; Neuropathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Child
  • Glioma* / diagnosis
  • Glioma* / genetics
  • Glioma* / pathology
  • Humans