PA vs. PMA
Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) represents the most common type of brain tumor in the pediatric population. Fortunately these tumors are typically benign and slow growing, carrying a better prognosis than other more aggressive neoplasms. Even with sub-total resection, the 20-year survival rates for patients with PA are 70-80%. However, a small subset of patients with this tumor demonstrates a variable clinical course with decreased length of disease free survival and higher mortality rates. We recently identified a unique group of tumors previously diagnosed as PA, having unique histologic characteristics and a more aggressive clinical course. These tumors have been termed pilomyxoid astrocytomas (PMA).