Choose the correct statement:
a) Astrocytomas can be low-grade or high-grade tumors
b) Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a low grade tumor
c) Brainstem gliomas are typically slow growing, operable and associated with a good prognosis
d) Primative neuroendodermal tumors (PNET) have similar histology to medulloblastomas but a better prognosis
Answer a. Astrocytomas can be low-grade or high-grade tumors. Glioblastoma multiforme is a high-grade (WHO grade IV) tumor. Only twenty percent of brainstem gliomas are focal gliomas: slow growing, operable and associated with a good prognosis, the remainder are inoperable and have nine-month average survival with radiation. Primative neuroendodermal tumors (PNET) have similar histology to medulloblastomas but a poorer prognosis.