title: Mistaken identity: granular cell astrocytoma masquerading as histiocytosis of the central nervous system.
abstract: Granular cell astrocytoma (GCA) is an uncommon malignant glial tumour that is associated with a poor prognosis. GCA cells have some morphological and immunohistochemical similarities to macrophages. In this case, a small biopsy contained no typical astrocytoma and large rounded lesional cells were interpreted as negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100 and positive for CD68, a commonly used marker for macrophages. A diagnosis of a histiocytosis was made. When the patient failed to respond to first and second line therapy, tumour resection was undertaken and the pathology then showed typical morphologic and immunohistochemical features of glioblastoma (astrocytoma World Health Organization grade IV).
authors.affiliation: Joint Austin-Ludwig Oncology Unit, Level 4 Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Joint Austin-Ludwig Oncology Unit, Level 4 Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Mun Sem
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.affiliation: Joint Austin-Ludwig Oncology Unit, Level 4 Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Hui K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: Joint Austin-Ludwig Oncology Unit, Level 4 Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Neurology Unit, Austin Health, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: lmcher@mac.com.
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cher
mesh_terms: D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D015614:Histiocytosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Erdheim-Chester disease; Glioma; Granular cell astrocytoma