Open AccessCentral Neurocytoma: A Synopsis of Clinical and Histological Features
Author(s) -
Hassoun Jacques,
Söylemezoglu Figen,
Gambarelli Danielle,
FigarellaBranger Dominique,
Ammon Klaus,
Kleihues Paul
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
brain pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.986
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1750-3639
pISSN - 1015-6305
DOI - 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1993.tb00756.x
Subject(s) - central neurocytoma , synaptophysin , lateral ventricles , foramen , pathology , central nervous system , glial fibrillary acidic protein , medicine , anatomy , biology , immunohistochemistry , neuroscience , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
The central neurocytoma is a supratentorial, often calcified brain tumour affecting young adults and is typically located in the lateral ventricles in the region of the foramen of Monro. Clinically, the tumour causes signs of increased intracranial pressure, visual and mental disturbances and, occasionally, pyramidal or endocrine symptoms. By light microscopy, the tumour is composed of small round cells in a delicate fibrillary matrix. Tumour cells consistently show features of neuronal differentiation by electron microscopy (synapses, dense‐core vesicles, presynaptic clear vesicles, specialized synaptic junctions) and immunoreactivity for synaptophysin and other neuronal marker proteins. The tumour can be totally removed in nearly half of the cases. After incomplete surgical resection neurocytomas may recur but because of their low proliferation potential, radio‐ or chemotherapy are not generally recommended. Postoperative recurrence‐free survival times of up to 19 years have been reported. Neurocytomas constitute nearly one half of supratentorial intraventricular tumours in adults but amount to less than 1% of all tumours of the central nervous system and its coverings.