Histopathological Study of Astrocytomas at RIMS, Ranchi

Background: Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors of CNS which include Astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and ependymoma. Astrocytomas are classified into four grades depending on clinic-pathological features and molecular parameters and differ significantly in incidence, severity and prognosis from each other. This study compares the different clinic-pathological features of four types of Astrocytomas. Materials and Methods: This retrospective and prospective study was done at the Department of Pathology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi between January 2019 to May 2020 including all patients of Astrocytoma of 1-90 years of age. Histopathological examination of all the specimens was done by routine paraffin wax sections and was stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H& E). The epidemiological data in terms of age, sex, site, laterality and size of tumor were compared among the four grades of Astrocytoma. Results: In the present study all four grades of Astrocytomas were discovered and studied. Among them 18 (47 %) cases of grade II, 9 (24 %) cases of grade III, 8 (21 %) cases of grade IV and 3 (8 %) cases of grade I Astrocytoma with overall male-female ratio of 13: 6 were identified. The adults in 21-40 years of age group were identified as common sufferer and left side of the fronto-parieto-temporal lobe of cerebral hemisphere was more commonly involved. Excised tumor of size 1-3 cm was found in 20 out of 38 (53 %) cases. Conclusion: Grade II Astrocytoma of size 1-3 cm located in left fronto-temporo-parietal lobe of cerebral hemisphere in a male aged 21-40 years is the most common presentation