Morphological classification of glioblastomas

Background and purpose. - In the 2007 WHO classification, glioblastomas are classified among the group of astrocytic tumors. They are highly malignant (grade IV). This group of tumors is morphologically heterogeneous. The WHO distinguishes between clinico-pathological entities, variants of entities and histological pattern. Variants are defined as being reliably indentified histologically and having some relevance for clinical outcome but as still being part of a previously defined overarching entity. Patterns of differentiation are identifiable by histological appearances but without clinical or pathological significance. Methods. - The description of the histological and immunohistochemical features is based on the 2007 WHO classification. Results. - In addition to the classic form of glioblastoma, two variants exist: the giant cell GBM and the gliosarcoma. The first but not the second would have a better outcome than the classic glioblastoma. The WHO classification also distinguishes several patterns of differentiation: small cells glioblastoma; glioblastoma with lipidized cells; glioblastoma with oligodendroglioma component; glioblastoma with heterologous differentiation. These patterns have to be recognized because they represent sometimes a diagnostic challenge. GFAP, Olig2 and Mib1/Ki67 are the most relevant immunohistochemical markers. Diagnostic value of neuronal markers is still controversial. EGFR or p53 expression can be detected and their prognosis value is discussed in this chapter. A systematic analysis of some markers in routine, for example IDH1 or internexin-a, could help to define more homogeneous groups of patients. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.