Management of childhood malignant brain tumor based on WHO 2016 classification

Abstract

The 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO 2016) is the latest revision of the internationally recognized standard of brain tumor classification. WHO 2016 uses genetic and molecular parameters in addition to histopathology parameters to define multiple pediatric brain tumor entities for the first time. Brain tumor diagnosis is thereby conceptually adjusted to the molecular era. WHO 2016 presents a major restructuring of the diffuse gliomas, medulloblastomas and other embryonal tumors. New pediatric entities defined by both histopathology and molecular features include the following glioma, H3 K27M-mutant, ependymoma, RELA fusion-positive, medulloblastoma, WNT-activated and medulloblastoma, SHH-activated, and embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes, C19MC-altered. WHO 2016 will facilitate precision medicine that will lead to an improvement of treating children with brain tumors.