ABSTRACT
OVERVIEW AND BIOLOGY OF DIFFUSE ASTROCYTIC TUMOURS The astrocytic neoplasms, collectively referred to as ‘diffuse astrocytic tumours, (WHO grade II diffuse astrocytoma, WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytoma and WHO grade IV glioblastoma), are the most common primary tumours of the cerebral hemispheres in adults.52,143 They are related both clinically and biologically and share two cardinal characteristics: (1) diffuse infiltration of involved CNS structures and (2) an inherent tendency to progress to a more malignant phenotype. Also characteristic are preferential location in the cerebral hemispheres, more frequent presentation in adults than children, and a wide range of histopathological features, genetic alterations and biological behaviour.143
