Gliosarcoma with features of osteoblastic osteosarcoma: a review.
BACKGROUND
Gliosarcoma is a rare tumor of the central nervous system characterized by a biphasic histologic pattern, consisting of a gliomatous and a sarcomatous component, respectively. In most instances the sarcomatous component is represented by a fibrosarcoma, but other stromal malignancies have also been described. Osteosarcomatous differentiation in gliosarcoma has been rarely reported.


OBJECTIVE
To review characteristic radiologic and histopathologic features of this rare neoplasm, to debate about possible differential diagnoses that should be taken into consideration, and to provide an overview of the potential histopathogenesis of gliosarcomas.


METHODS
Relevant articles indexed in PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and reference medical texts.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent molecular studies suggest that sarcomatous and gliomatous components of gliosarcoma might be derived from a single precursor cell clone, progressing in 2 subclones with distinct morphologic features during tumor evolution. Nonetheless, events determining splitting of the original clone into 2 histologic populations remain to be investigated.
Barresi
Valeria
V
Department of Human Pathology, Policlinico Universitario G. Martino, Via ConsolareValeria, Messina, Italy. valeriabarresi@hotmail.com
Cerasoli
Serenella
S
Morigi
Federico
F
Cremonini
Anna Maria
AM
Volpini
Mirco
M
Tuccari
Giovanni
G
D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002999:Clone Cells; D018316:Gliosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000473:pathology*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed