Neuropathology primer

OpenAlex · English

Abstract The neuropathology primer chapter summarizes the histomorphologic, molecular, and immunohistochemical features of the central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms and is largely based on the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of CNS tumours. It provides a practical approach and reviews the main diagnostic and grading criteria for the most commonly encountered CNS tumours and some rare tumours with unique histologic or molecular features. Specifically, it summarizes the diagnostic criteria for diffuse glial neoplasms, including oligodendroglioma, astrocytoma, and glioblastoma, using an integrated approach combining histologic and molecular findings. It also reviews circumscribed glial tumours such as pilocytic astrocytoma and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma; glioneuronal, neuronal, and ependymal neoplasms; meningiomas; non-meningothelial mesenchymal tumours; primary melanocytic neoplasms of the CNS; embryonal tumours; and tumours of the sellar and pineal regions. In addition, tumours arising from the peripheral nerve sheaths are summarized. The chapter includes numerous figures representing typical histologic examples for many tumour types.