Familial occurrence of tumours of the choroid plexus

Tumors of Choroid Plexus and Other Ventricular Tumors

Tumors arising inside the ventricular system are rare but represent a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They usually are diagnosed when reaching a big volume and tend to affect young children. There is a wide broad of differential diagnoses with significant variability in anatomical aspects and tumor type. Differential diagnosis in tumor type includes choroid plexus tumors (papillomas and carcinomas), ependymomas, subependymomas, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), central neurocytomas, meningiomas, and metastases. Choroid plexus tumors, ependymomas of the posterior fossa, and SEGAs are more likely to appear in childhood, whereas subependymomas, central neurocytomas, intraventricular meningiomas, and metastases are more frequent in adults. This chapter is predominantly focused on choroid plexus tumors and radiological and histological differential diagnosis. Treatment is discussed in the light of the modern acquisition in genetics and epigenetics of brain tumors.

Molecular pathogenesis of childhood brain tumors

In the last decade, the molecular biology revolution has advanced considerably. These advances have enhanced our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of human brain tumors in general, and pediatric brain tumors in particular. We now know that many pediatric brain tumors arise from disturbances in developmentally regulated signaling pathways. The medulloblastoma, a tumor in which the developmental Hedgehog and WNT pathways have gone awry, is a prime example of this. New techniques in genetic engineering have allowed for the creation of sophisticated mouse models of brain tumors that recapitulate the human disease. Many laboratories are now using cDNA microarrays to study the expression level of thousands of genes that may be aberrantly expressed in brain tumors when compared to normal control cells. In the next decade, the use of several new molecular techniques to establish brain tumor diagnoses will likely become standard tools in the diagnostics and treatment stratification of children with central nervous system tumors.

Choroid plexus tumors in children

Choroid plexus tumors represent a well-defined subset of brain tumors that occur mainly in young children. Surgical resection for papilloma is usually curative, although careful surgical planning is required to minimize the potential risks. Although adjunctive therapy for carcinoma includes chemotherapy or radiation, the long-term survival for carcinoma remains poor.

Choroid plexus tumours: a surgically treated series

Choroid plexus tumours-carcinomas and papillomas are rare, especially in adults, and they pose some problems in their diagnosis and management. We have reviewed a series of nine cases from our institution surgically treated during the last 18 years. Their clinical charts, neuroradiological examinations, surgical technique, neuropathology and follow-up were analysed. In only one case total removal proved to be impossible, but even in cases of total removal recurrence appeared in two cases (one carcinoma and one papilloma). Morbility is especially associated with posterior fossa tumours. These rare tumours are managed surgically. They are usually associated with hydrocephalus, and it is difficult to forecast whether or not permanent CSF drainage will be required. A long-term follow-up is needed in patients with this type of tumour.

Choroid plexus papilloma of the temporal horn associated with transtentorial herniation

In the pediatric age group choroid plexus papillomas are most commonly located in the trigones and bodies of the lateral ventricles. This paper reports a 1-year-old patient with choroid plexus papilloma of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle associated with transtentorial herniation.

Endoreduplication and telomeric association in a choroid plexus carcinoma

Cytogenetic studies showed a hyperhaploid stemline, (32,XY,+1,+7,+9,+12,+13,+14,+19,+20) in a patient with choroid plexus carcinoma. Endoreduplication and doubling of the stemline to 200-400 chromosomes per cell and variation in numerical changes were also noted. Telomeric association was present in most cells. The 12p and 20q were by far the most frequently involved chromosome arms. Telomeric association is believed to have triggered further structural changes in this case since the 12p and 20q were always involved in the few structural abnormalities identified. A review of the literature suggests that hyperhaploidy may characterize choroid plexus carcinoma and hyperdiploidy choroid plexus papilloma.

Down syndrome complicated by brain tumors: case report and review of the literature

This report concerns a 24-year-old male patient with Down syndrome, complicated by a benign but true neoplastic lesion of a differentiated papilloma of the choroid plexus which simultaneously displayed a dysgenetic character. A review of the literature revealed a lack of single case reports of Down syndrome with brain tumors, which may reflect chance occurrence; however, the brain tumors in Down syndrome patients are characterized by their dysontogenetic or dysgenetic character.