The classification of brain tumors is based on both histopathological characteristics and location in the brain.[1] Undifferentiated neuroectodermal tumors of the cerebellum have historically been referred to as medulloblastomas, while tumors of identical histology in the pineal region would be diagnosed as pineoblastomas.[1,2] The nomenclature of pediatric brain tumors is controversial and potentially confusing. Some pathologists advocate abandoning the traditional morphologically-based classifications such as medulloblastoma in favor of a terminology that relies more extensively on the phenotypic characteristics of the tumor.[3] In such a system, medulloblastoma is referred to as primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and then subdivided on the basis of cellular differentiation. The most recent World Health Organization classification of brain tumors maintains the term medulloblastoma for posterior fossa undifferentiated tumors. It also maintains separate categories for supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, ependymoblastomas, and pineal small round cell tumors (pineoblastomas). The pathologic classification of pediatric brain tumors is a specialized area that is evolving; review of the diagnostic tissue by a neuropathologist who has particular expertise in this area is strongly recommended.

Spinal cord tumors

The classification of spinal cord tumors is based on histopathologic characteristics of the tumor and does not differ from that of primary brain tumors.[4,5,6]

References:

1. Kleihues P, Cavenee WK, eds.: Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of the Nervous System. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2000.
2. Burger PC, Sheithauer BW, Vogel FS: Surgical pathology of the nervous system and its coverings. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, 1991.
3. Rorke LB, Gilles FH, Davis RL, et al.: Revision of the World Health Organization classification of brain tumors for childhood brain tumors. Cancer 56 (7 Suppl): 1869-86, 1985.
4. Constantini S, Miller DC, Allen JC, et al.: Radical excision of intramedullary spinal cord tumors: surgical morbidity and long-term follow-up evaluation in 164 children and young adults. J Neurosurg 93 (2 Suppl): 183-93, 2000.
5. Bouffet E, Pierre-Kahn A, Marchal JC, et al.: Prognostic factors in pediatric spinal cord astrocytoma. Cancer 83 (11): 2391-9, 1998.
6. Hardison HH, Packer RJ, Rorke LB, et al.: Outcome of children with primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors. Childs Nerv Syst 3 (2): 89-92, 1987.