gliomas, low grade gliomas, cytogenetic changes

Diffuse gliomas are the most common primary central nervous system malignancies. Classification of these tumors is based on WHO used traditional methods, including cellular morphology, presence of mitoses, vascular proliferation and necrosis. Using these, tumors are classified in astrocytic, oligodendroglial or oligoastrocytic categories and specified by a tumor grade. Despite the progress in diagnosis and treatment, gliomas are almost incurable since radical resection is not possible due to their diffuse nature. It is expected that the therapy would be based - among others - on the knowledge of genetic changes in the individual types of tumor (chromosomal abnormalities, activating mutations of oncogenes and mutations associated with loss of tumorsuppressor gene function).