[A clinicopathological analysis of primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the CNS].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the difference between cerebellar medulloblastoma (MB) and primary cerebral small cell tumor in histogenesis, morphologic features and biological behavior.


METHODS
210 cases of MB and 9 cases of small cell tumor of cerebrum were observed with histologic and immunohistochemical techniques.


RESULTS
Both tumors were composed of primitive cells with focal evidence of glial and/or neuronal differentiation. In 63.2% of MB and five-eighths of small cell tumor of cerebrum coexpressed GFAP and Syn. Both types of tumors were highly malignant. The overall 1 year survival rates were 34.63% and 25.65% respectively. The survival rate was lower for patients with high proliferative index, with necrosis or without receiving radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
MB is similar to other small cell tumors of CNS in morphological features, specific marker expression and biological behavior. These tumors can be classified as primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors (PNET).
Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital, Shandong Medical University, Jinan 250012.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018242:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016704:Synapsins / Q000032:analysis
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D016704:Synapsins