Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma of the cerebellum: illustrated review

Although rarely, the usually benign, supratentorial, grade II astrocytic tumour pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) may arise from the cerebellum. A review of the published cases of these PXAs is made including the author's own case of a 40 years-old man with a right cerebellopontine angle tumour, which recurred after a gross total resection. The major clinical and histopathological features of cerebellar PXAs are discussed, and factors playing a role in their biological behaviour, like post-surgical medical treatment, genetics and extent of leptomeningeal seeding are stressed.