Abstract
Current classification of primary tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) is based on the latest revision of the World Health Organization (WHO), published in 2016. This review integrates molecular parameters in addition to morphology to define several entities.
Interestingly, most of these molecular or genetic parameters can be evaluated by surrogate immunohistochemical markers. However, there are many centers where these markers are still not available for diagnosis.
For this reason, changes in nomenclature were introduced. For example: the term “not otherwise specified” (“N.O.S.”) was introduced to designate cases in which it was not possible to perform molecular studies, or they were inconclusive.
In contrast, tumors in which one or more cytogenetic alterations are present, these multiple alterations should be included in the name.
For tumors lacking a given genetic mutation, the term “wildtype” or “not mutated” will be used, while tumors in which it is present, the term “positive” can be used.
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Cano-Valdez, A.M., Sevilla-Lizcano, D.B. (2021). Pathological Classification of Brain Tumors. In: Monroy-Sosa, A., Chakravarthi, S.S., de la Garza-Salazar, J.G., Meneses Garcia, A., Kassam, A.B. (eds) Principles of Neuro-Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54879-7_5
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