Pathology - trends and pitfalls in histologic diagnosis, immunopathology, and applications of oncogene research

The traditional methods for classifying pediatric neoplasms of the central nervous system are reviewed in this article as are more recent approaches that will influence future classifications and, hence, treatment. Also described are a number of controversial or unresolved issues in pediatric neuro-oncology. These include the issue of the primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) approach to the classification of embryonal tumors, the prognostic factors in certain gliomas and embryonal neoplasms, and the subclassifications of the medulloblastoma. Intracranial and intraspinal lesions whose degree of malignancy can be overestimated and overly aggressive therapies administered are also discussed.