Low-Grade Gliomas

Abstract

Astrocytomas are the most common subgroup of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children. The most frequent histological types are pilocytic and fibrillary astrocytomas, which are considered low-grade astrocytomas. A variety of other, less common glial tumors are also seen in children, including pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, high-grade gliomas, ganglioglioma and desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma, astroblastoma, ependymoma, and oligodendroglioma. This chapter focuses on low-grade astrocytomas with an emphasis on infiltrating astrocytoma, cerebellar astrocytoma, optic pathway glioma, and oligodendroglioma.