Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2019 , Vol 29 , Num 3
Differential Diagnosis in Glial Tumors
Kadir TUFAN1
1Başkent Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Adana, Türkiye Glial tumors are the most common primary brain tumors and originate from glial cells of the brain. They include various tumor types ranging from benign pilocytic astrocytomas to the extremely malignant glioblastoma. According to the classification reorganized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, gliomas are basically divided into three subgroups as diffuse astrocytic-oligodendrioglial tumors, other astrocytic tumors and ependymal tumors. However, the most commonly used glial tumor classification in practice is WHO"s classification according to tumor grade (Grade I-IV). The definitive diagnosis of glial tumors needs histopathological and molecular investigations. However, prior to the histopathological diagnosis, the patient"s age, clinical findings and advanced radiological investigations may also help in the differential diagnosis. In the present article, the features that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of various glial tumors are discussed. Anahtar Kelimeler : Gliomas, Pilocytic astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Ependymoma, Oligodendroglioma, Diffuse astrocytoma, Differential diagnosis