Majority of brain stem gliomas share common astrocytic histologies.
They have divergent behavior due to the different anatomic regions and growth patterns.
These tumors are generally very heterogeneous, with variable histological patterns depending on tumor location.
Histology helps to determine prognosis:
Diffusely infiltrating:
These gliomas are generally one of these three cell types:
- Fibrillary astrocytomas
- Anaplastic astrocytomas
- Glioblastoma multiforme
Focal tumors:
- Most commonly have pilocytic astrocytoma histology
- May also present with ganglioma histology
- Both are WHO grade I
