Glioneuronal Tumor Pathology and Imaging Insights

Glioneuronal tumours comprise a heterogeneous group of rare central nervous system lesions defined by a mixture of neuronal and glial elements. Classified largely as World Health Organization grade I, these lesions include rosette-forming glioneuronal tumours (RGNT), papillary glioneuronal tumours (PGNT), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours (DNT) and extraventricular neurocytomas (EVN), among others. Histopathologically, they are characterised by neurocytic rosettes or perivascular pseudorosettes embedded in a glial stroma, often demonstrating oligodendroglial morphology. Immunohistochemistry routinely reveals synaptophysin positivity in neuronal components and glial fibrillary acidic protein in astrocytic elements. At the molecular level, activating alterations in FGFR1 and the MAPK pathway are recurrent, sometimes accompanied by PIK3CA or TERT mutations, underpinning a spectrum of tumour behaviour from indolent to rarely aggressive. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques—diffusion-weighted imaging, spectroscopy and perfusion studies—have refined non-invasive characterisation, revealing mixed cystic-solid architecture, restricted diffusion in compact cellular regions and specific metabolic patterns. Integration of neuropathology with high-resolution imaging has improved diagnostic accuracy, guiding surgical planning and long-term surveillance strategies. Emerging insights into molecular drivers promise targeted therapies and personalised management of recurrent or refractory cases.

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Glioneuronal Tumor Pathology and Imaging Insights publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in glioneuronal tumor pathology and imaging insights across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Glioneuronal tumour: A central nervous system neoplasm composed of both neuronal and glial cell populations.

Rosette: A circular arrangement of tumour cells around an empty or neuropil-like centre.

FGFR1 alteration: An activating change in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene implicated in tumour development.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A non-invasive imaging modality using magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to visualise tissue structure and composition.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI): An MRI technique sensitive to the movement of water molecules, used to infer tissue cellularity.

Immunohistochemistry: A laboratory method for detecting specific proteins in tissue sections using labelled antibodies.

References

1. The Clinical and Molecular Landscape of Rosette-Forming Glioneuronal Tumors. Biomedicines (2024).
2. Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor: an illustrative case and a systematic review. Neuro-Oncology Advances (2020).
3. Uncommon Glioneuronal Tumors: A Radiologic and Pathologic Synopsis. American Journal of Neuroradiology (2022).