Medulloblastoma: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with " = Pathology = == Microscopic Appearance of Medulloblastoma == * Dense sheet of small, basophilic cells * Little cytoplasm * Round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei * High mitotic index * Evidence of neuronal or glial differentiation in up to 50% of cases * Homer Wright rosettes are commonly present === Homer Wright Rosettes === * Homer Wright rosettes are a characteristic microscopic feature of medulloblastoma * They are thought to represent abortive attempts at neuronal...")
 
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=== Homer Wright Rosettes ===
=== Homer Wright Rosettes ===
* Homer Wright rosettes are a characteristic microscopic feature of medulloblastoma
* Homer Wright rosettes are a <mark>characteristic microscopic feature</mark> of medulloblastoma
* They are thought to represent abortive attempts at neuronal differentiation
* They are thought to represent abortive attempts at neuronal differentiation
* Homer Wright rosettes are not pathognomonic of medulloblastoma and can be seen in other tumors, such as ependymoma
* Homer Wright rosettes are not pathognomonic of medulloblastoma and can be seen in other tumors, such as ependymoma
 
= Subtypes =
= Subtypes =
== Classic or undifferentiated medulloblastoma (A) ==
== Classic or undifferentiated medulloblastoma (A) ==

Revision as of 21:27, 3 March 2024


Pathology

Microscopic Appearance of Medulloblastoma

  • Dense sheet of small, basophilic cells
  • Little cytoplasm
  • Round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei
  • High mitotic index
  • Evidence of neuronal or glial differentiation in up to 50% of cases
  • Homer Wright rosettes are commonly present

Homer Wright Rosettes

  • Homer Wright rosettes are a characteristic microscopic feature of medulloblastoma
  • They are thought to represent abortive attempts at neuronal differentiation
  • Homer Wright rosettes are not pathognomonic of medulloblastoma and can be seen in other tumors, such as ependymoma

Subtypes

Classic or undifferentiated medulloblastoma (A)

  • Highly cellular tumor
  • Sheets of small oval or round blue cells

Classic medulloblastoma with area of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunopositivity (B)

  • Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a marker of glial differentiation
  • The presence of GFAP-positive cells in medulloblastoma suggests that the tumor may have a glial component

Desmoplastic medulloblastoma (C)

  • Reticulin-positive internodular zones and reticulin-free pale islands
  • Desmoplastic medulloblastoma is a rare subtype of medulloblastoma that is characterized by the presence of reticulin-positive internodular zones and reticulin-free pale islands

Large cell medulloblastoma (D)

  • Increased nuclear size with abundant mitoses
  • Large cell medulloblastoma is a rare subtype of medulloblastoma that is characterized by the presence of large cells with increased nuclear size and abundant mitoses