Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Histological Classification

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas in Adults

  • 1296 Accesses

Abstract

Glial tumors are difficult to classify. The lack of reproducibility between pathologists is proven, with a difference of interpretation between reaction cells and tumor cells, and between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This drawback does not exist in any other organ, and so far no immunohistochemical marker can make the distinction. This chapter on neuro-­oncopathology reviews the history of the different histological classifications used over time to try to perform the grading of gliomas, with special emphasis on the WHO classification which is considered as the gold standard but which has however several limitations. Finally, we discuss our experience with diffuse low-grade gliomas with regard to the proposal of a new intermediate grade.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 159.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bailey P, Cushing H. A classification of tumours of the Glioma group on a Histogenetic Basis with a correlation study of prognosis. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1926.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kernohan JW, Mabon RF, Svien HJ, Adson AW. A simplified classification of the gliomas. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1949;24(3):71–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Virchow R. Ueber dan granulierte ansehen der wanderungen der gehirnvenrikel. Allg Zschr f Psychiat. 1846;3:242–50.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Virchow R. Die Krankhaften Geschulste. Berlin: August Hirschwald; 1864–1865.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stroebe H. Uber entstehung und bau der hirngliome. Beitr Pathol Anat Allg Pathol. 1895;18:405–86.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Andriezen WL. The neuroglia elements in the human brain. Br Med J. 1893;2:227–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lenhossek V. Der feinere Bau des Nerven Systems in Lichte neuester Forschungen. 2nd ed. Berlin: Fischer; 1895.

    Google Scholar 

  8. del Rio Hortega P. Noticia de un nuevo y Weil metodo para la coloracion de la neuroglia y del tejido conectivo. Trab Lab Invest Biol Madrid. 1917;15:367–8.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Scherer HJ. The forma of growth in gliomas and their practical significance. Brain. 1940;63:1–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Cajal SRY. Histologie du système nerveux de l’homme et des vertébrés. Paris: Maloine; 1911.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rand CW, Courville CB. Histologic studies of the brain in cases of fatal injury to the head. Arch Surg. 1932;22:738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Biggart JH. Pathology of the nervous system: a student’s introduction. Edinburgh: E. & S. Livingstone; 1949.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Elvidge A, Penfield W, Cone W. The gliomas of the central nervous system: a study of 210 verified cases. Res Nerv Ment Dis Proc. 1937;16:107–81.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bergstrand H. Uber das sogenannte Astrozytom des Kleinhirns. Virchows Arch. 1932;287:538–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Singer L, Seiler J. Untersuchungen über die morphologie der gliome. Virchows Arch. 1933;287:823.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ringertz J. Grading of gliomas. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand. 1950;27:51–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Nissl F. Ueber einige beziehungen zur nervenzellenerkrankungen und gliosen erscheinungen bei verschiedenen psychosen. Arch Psychiat. 1899;32:656–76.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Zülch KJ, editor. Histological typing of tumours of the central nervous system. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Von Hansemann D. Uber einige seltenere geschwulste am magen. Verh d Ges Deutsch Naturf u Arzte. 1895–1896;67(pt 2, 2nd half):8.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ewing J. Neoplastic diseases. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1928. p. 64.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Cox LB. The cytology of the glioma group with special reference to the inclusion of cells derived from the invaded tissue. Am J Pathol. 1933;9:839.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. del Rio Hortega P. Estudios sobre la neuroglia. La glia de escasas radiaciones (oligodendroglia). Bol Soc Hist Nat. 1921;21:16–43.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Bailey P, Bucy PC. Oligodendrogliomas of the brain. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1929;32:735–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ravens JR, Adamkiewicz LL, Groff R. Cytology and pathology of the oligodendroglioma of the brain. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1955;14:142ev.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Cooper ERA. The relation of oligocytes and astrocytes in cerebral tumours. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1935;41:259–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kelly PJ, Daumas-Duport C, Scheithauer BW, Kall BA, Kispert DB. Stereotaxic histologic correlations of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging-defined abnormalities in patients with glial neoplasms. Mayo Clin Proc. 1987;62:450–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Daumas-Duport C, Beuvon F, Varlet P, Fallet-Bianco C. Gliomas: WHO and Sainte-Anne Hospital classifications. Ann Pathol. 2000;20:413–28.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Figarella-Branger D, Bouvier C. Histological classification of human gliomas: state of art and controversies. Bull Cancer. 2005;92(4):301–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Louis DN, Ohgaki H, Wiestler OD, Cavenee WK, ­editors. WHO classification of tumours of the central nervous system. Lyon: IARC; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Kleihues P, Burger PC, Scheitauer BW. Histological typing of tumours of the central nervous system World Health Organization international histological classification of tumours. Heidelberg: Springer; 1993.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  31. Daumas-Duport C, Scheithauer B, O’Fallon J, Kelly P. Grading of astrocytomas. A simple and reproducible method. Cancer. 1988;62:2152.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kleihues P, Cavenee WK, editors. Pathology and genetics of tumours of the nervous system, World Health Organization classification of tumours. Lyon: IARC Press; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Coons SW, Johnson PC, Scheithauer BW, Yates AJ, Pearl DK. Improving diagnostic accuracy and interobserver concordance in the classification and grading of primary gliomas. Cancer. 1997;79:1381–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Gui de Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier University Medical Center, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, 34295, Montpellier, France

    Valérie Rigau MD, PhD

  2. Team “Neuronal Death and Epilepsia”, IGF CNRS UMR 5023-INSERM U661, UM1-UM2, 141 avenue de la cardonille, 34091, Montpellier, France

    Valérie Rigau MD, PhD

  3. National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), U1051 Laboratory, Team “Brain Plasticity, Stem Cells and Glial Tumors”, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier, Montpellier University Medical Center, 34091, Montpellier, France

    Valérie Rigau MD, PhD

  4. Cytology and Anatomical Pathology Laboratory, Montpellier University Medical Center, Montpellier, France

    Valérie Rigau MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Valérie Rigau MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valérie Rigau MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , INSERM U1051, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpelli, av. Augustin Fliche 80, Montpellier, 34295, France

    Hugues Duffau

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rigau, V. (2013). Histological Classification. In: Duffau, H. (eds) Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas in Adults. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2213-5_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2213-5_3

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-2212-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-2213-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation