Glial tumors, as a group, comprise the most frequently diagnosed primary tumors of the central nervous system. This course will focus on commonly encountered diagnostic issues involved in the evaluation of glial neoplasms by uniquely combining the perspectives of pathology and neurosurgery with regard to the diagnosis and management of these lesions. Proposed topics for discussion include the following: 1) The biopsy procedure itself, i.e. how tissue is obtained, the utility of intraoperative consultation from both a neurosurgical and pathology perspective and the role of the pathologist in tissue triage. 2) Problems surrounding the histologic grading of fibrillary astrocytomas including implications with regard to treatment, the potential role of cell proliferation markers and cytogenetics in prognostication and differential diagnostic considerations. 3) Issues surrounding differential diagnosis of radiation versus recurrent/residual glioma will be explored and the clinical rationale for biopsying the patient after radiation therapy will be discussed. 4) Problems and implications associated with grading oligodendrogliomas, and use of the diagnosis "mixed glioma" (oligoastrocytoma) will be explored, including the implication of chromosomal abnormalities. 5) Issues surrounding the grading and management of ependymal lesions.

This course is aimed at both pathologists who encounter brain tumors as part of their practice as well as residents and fellows. A limited number of loan sets of glass slides will be available for advance mailing. All registrants will be mailed a CD after the meeting. A syllabus will be distributed at the course. (Last Scheduled Presentation)