Clinical profile, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses and treatment of pilocytic astrocytoma: an eight year study from a tertiary health care centre in North East India

Abstract Background Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a central nervous system (CNS) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 glial tumor that is highly prevalent in children and young adults. The main aim of the study was to assess the frequency, clinicopathological features, and treatment of PAs along with their immunohistochemical and molecular analyses in patients from Northeast India. About 144 glial tumors were diagnosed in patients from 3 to 75 yrs of age from January 2015 to March 2022. Nine pediatric PA patients were identified and their clinical data were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular analysis using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Results The mean age of the glioma patients was 41.7 yrs ± 18.2 with a male/female ratio of 1.3:1. The most common form of the glial tumor was found to be astrocytoma CNS WHO grade 2 (31.9%). The frequency of PA CNS WHO grade 1 was 6.9%. The pediatric PA cohort had a mean age of 9.2 yrs ± 4.9 with a male/female ratio of 2:1. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive immunostaining and retention of transcriptional regulator alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked protein (ATRX) expression was seen in all the tested PAs. The KIAA1459-BRAF fusion was detected in four PAs. Surgical intervention with total or radical tumor excision was performed for the PA patients. Eight PA patients exhibited improved condition post-surgery. Conclusion With the advent of healthcare and newer diagnostic facilities there is an increased incidence of glial tumors in developing countries. A combination of histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis is very important for the diagnosis, accurate treatment, and prognosis of PA patients.