Abstract
Context. - Significant interobserver variability exists with respect to the diagnosis of oligodendroglial neoplasms, especially their distinction from astrocytoma and mixed oligoastrocytoma. Combined loss of the short arm of chromosome 1 and the long arm of chromosome 19 has been shown to be both relatively specific to oligodendroglioma and, when present, a marker of improved prognosis in patients with these tumors. In addition, 1p/19q loss has been shown to be a marker of "classic" oligodendroglial histology. These findings raise questions as to the role of 1p/19q testing in clinical practice, both as a prognostic marker and as a potential diagnostic marker among infiltrating glial neoplasms. Objective. - This review discusses the issues raised above and tries to clarify the current status of 1p/19q evaluation in the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma. Data Sources. - Sources for this review include recent literature as well as the experience of 3 practicing neuropathologists. Conclusions. - 1p/19q status is an important marker in oligodendroglioma. Loss of 1p/19q is associated with classic oligodendroglioma histology as well as improved prognosis. The combined 1p/19q marker will continue to be a clinically useful marker of prognosis and could potentially be incorporated into diagnostic criteria in the future.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 242-251 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine |
Volume | 131 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - Feb 1 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Medical Laboratory Technology