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A case of cerebral astroblastoma with rhabdoid features: a cytological, histological, and immunohistochemical study

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Abstract

Astroblastoma is a rare neuroepithelial neoplasm of unknown origin, usually occurring in children and young adults. Here we report a case of astroblastoma with uncommon features in an 18-year-old female. The tumor was a well-circumscribed cystic and solid mass with marked gadolinium enhancement in the right frontal lobe. Cytological examination showed polarized monopolar cells with diminished cohesiveness. Tumor cells possessed eccentric round to oval nuclei with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, sometimes having cytoplasmic processes. Histopathologically, the tumor showed perivascular pseudorosettes with prominent vascular sclerosis. Foam cells were frequently infiltrated around blood vessels and among tumor cells. In some areas, a solid growth pattern of plump tumor cells with abundant inclusion-like eosinophilic cytoplasm showing rhabdoid appearance was observed. The immunohistochemical study revealed strong and diffuse positivity for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen. Tumor cells were focally positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Nuclear immunoreactivity for INI1 protein was evident. The Ki-67 labeling index was 10.8 %. This tumor was finally diagnosed as low-grade astroblastoma and the patient had no evidence of recurrence without postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy during the last 6 months of follow-up. This report describes novel cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features of the rare tumor.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the advice and expertise of Atsushi Sasaki (Saitama Medical University), Takashi Komori (Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital), Hiroyoshi Suzuki (Sendai Medical Center), Junko Hirato (Gunma University), and Takanori Hirose (Hyogo Cancer Center). We also thank Mami Sato, Tomoko Takenami, and Masana Urushido for their technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cancer Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, North 15, West 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan

    Sayaka Yuzawa, Mishie Tanino, Jun Moriya & Shinya Tanaka

  2. Department of Translational Pathology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

    Hiroshi Nishihara, Taichi Kimura & Shinya Tanaka

  3. Translational Research Laboratory, Hokkaido University Hospital, Clinical Research and Medical Innovation Center, Sapporo, Japan

    Hiroshi Nishihara & Taichi Kimura

  4. Sapporo Azabu Neurosurgical Hospital, Sapporo, Japan

    Yuuta Kamoshima

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan

    Yuuta Kamoshima

  6. Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan

    Kazuo Nagashima

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  1. Sayaka Yuzawa
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  2. Hiroshi Nishihara
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  3. Mishie Tanino
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  5. Jun Moriya
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  8. Shinya Tanaka
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Correspondence to Shinya Tanaka.

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Yuzawa, S., Nishihara, H., Tanino, M. et al. A case of cerebral astroblastoma with rhabdoid features: a cytological, histological, and immunohistochemical study. Brain Tumor Pathol 33, 63–70 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10014-015-0241-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10014-015-0241-5

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