title: [Prognostic analyses of intramedullary high grade astrocytomas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the prognostic factors of intramedullary high grade astrocytomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analyses were conducted for 21 surgical patients with high grade astrocytoma in spinal cord during 2008 to 2012 at our hospital. Their preoperative and postoperative profiles were recorded and evaluated by modified McCormick classification scheme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Their median age was 32.5 years. There were anaplastic astrocytoma (n = 14) and glioblastoma (n = 7). The prognoses of high grade astrocytomas were correlated with pathology grade and MIB-1 index. No statistic significance existed in age, gender, McCormick score, extent of resection, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intramedullary high grade astrocytoma has a low incidence, but its outcome is poor. Once definitely diagnosed, operation is recommended as early as possible. Frozen pathology should be performed to determine the extent of resection. After operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Wentao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Shixin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Jiajun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China. Email: xiaomche@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Che
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult