Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma

Last revised by Yahya Baba on 8 Feb 2024

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXA) are an uncommon circumscribed astrocytic tumor found in young patients and can be WHO grade 2 or 3. 

They most often appear as cortical tumors with a cystic component and vivid contrast enhancement, most commonly in the temporal lobe where they present with temporal lobe epilepsy. Features of slow growth may be present, such as no surrounding edema and scalloping of the overlying bone. A reactive dural involvement expressed by a dural tail sign can be found. Calcifications are rare. 

They are rare tumors accounting for only 1% of primary brain tumors 2,3,6. Typically these tumors are found in young patients (children or young adults), with a peak incidence in the 2nd to 3rd decades of life (10-30 years) 6

As these tumors have a predilection for the temporal lobe they most frequently present with seizures (~75% of cases) 1,2. Other findings include dizziness, and headache or rarely patients are asymptomatic 5.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are considered either WHO grade 2 or 3 tumors based on histological features 8.  

Grade 3 tumors (previously known as anaplastic pleomorphic astrocytomas) have an increased mitotic rate of >5 mitoses per 10 high-power fields but are otherwise histologically very similar with grade 2 tumors, although necrosis and vascular proliferation are more common 6. They can be difficult to distinguish from epithelioid glioblastomas 6

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are almost invariably (98%) located supratentorially, typically located superficially (peripherally) abutting the leptomeninges, involving the cortex and overlying leptomeninges but actual dural involvement is rare. Approximately half are located in the temporal lobe, with the remainder of the lesions more common in the frontal than the parietal lobes 4,6.

Macroscopically these tumors appear well-circumscribed, often with a cystic component and involvement of the overlying leptomeninges 1,3.

Microscopically the margins are not as well defined. The histological features are variable (thus the term "pleomorphic") with spindle cells, polygonal cells, multinucleated cells and lipid-laden xanthomatous astrocytes are all identified 6. Even more pleomorphic is the appearance of the nuclei, with common nuclear inclusions, and highly variable nuclear size 6

Immunohistochemistry demonstrates expected glial marker reactivity. Less obviously, there is also variable reactivity for neuronal markers 3,6:

Ki-67 proliferation index: <1% 6

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, as well as pilocytic astrocytomas (and many non-CNS tumors), exhibit BRAF mutations 6,7. The only reported association is with neurofibromatosis type 1, although this is not a strong association 6

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas appear as a solid enhancing nodule, frequently with a peripheral eccentric cystic component (50-60%). Due to their peripheral location and leptomeningeal involvement, they are one of the tumors that may exhibit a dural tail. This is reactive rather than due to true direct dural invasion, which is rare 2,6. As these lesions are very slow growing, superficial remodeling of the adjacent skull is characteristic and vasogenic edema is variable 5

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are typically hypodense or isodense and may be well or poorly demarcated, usually with little or no surrounding edema. Calcification is rare. Due to its superficial location it may cause scalloping of the overlying bone 2.

  • T1 

    • solid component iso to hypointense to grey matter

    • cystic component hypointense

    • leptomeningeal involvement is seen in over 70% of cases 2

  • T1 C+ (Gd)

    • solid component usually enhances vividly

  • T2 

    • solid component iso to hyperintense to grey matter

    • cystic component hyperintense

    • on T2/FLAIR sequence, cystic areas show hyperintensity relative to CSF due to higher protein contents

    • little surrounding vasogenic edema

Despite vivid enhancement, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are usually avascular on angiography 2

Although prognosis is good following surgical excision of grade 2 tumors, with a 5-year survival of 90% and 5-year-disease-free survival of 70% 1,3,6, local recurrence and malignant transformation (to WHO grade 3) is common, encountered in up to 20% of cases 2.

Grade 3 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas have a substantially worse prognosis: 40-50% 5-year survival 6

Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy has a significant effect on these tumors 2, although radiotherapy may have a role to play in patients with incomplete resection or those with recurrent disease 3

The main differential diagnosis is that of other cortical tumors, with helpful distinguishing features including 1-4

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