Clinicopathological and molecular analysis of multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumors of the cerebrum

Hum Pathol. 2019 Apr:86:203-212. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.11.028. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Abstract

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT) of the cerebrum is a recently recognized rare neuronal tumor, and its pathogenesis is unclear. We analyzed 7 cases of histologically typical MVNT: 6 were adults (mean age, 43.0 years [range, 23-56 years]) and 1 was a child (age, 10 years). The most common symptoms were seizures (n = 4) and headache (n = 2). The tumors were supratentorial (temporal, 5; frontal lobes, 2) in origin as reported. Vacuolated tumor cells were robustly positive for α-INA and Olig2 and at least partly positive for synaptophysin and MAP2, but negative for Neu-N, nestin and CD34. GFAP and vimentin were expressed in reactive astrocytes but not in tumor cells. Negative results were obtained for p53, IDH-1, BRAFV600E, H3 K27M, EGFR, Lin28A, and L1CAM. ATRX, BRG1, INI-1, and TMHH were retained. The Ki-67 labeling index was very low (<1%), and pHH3 revealed no mitotic figure. Ultrastructural features of tumor cells were comparable with those of immature neuronal cells, with several intracytoplasmic myelin-like autophagosomes and pericellular vacuolization. No IDH1/IDH2 and BRAFV600E mutations were found upon direct sequencing. Whole-exome sequencing revealed FGFR2-ZMYND11 gene fusion in 1 case. After gross total resection, all patients were alive without seizures. There was no tumor recurrence during an average period of 68 months (range, 23-101 months). The analysis of 7 typical cases of MVNT suggested that these lesions may be clonal tumors because FGFR2-ZMYND11 fusion was found (1 case).

Keywords: Brain; Epilepsy; FGFR2-ZMYND11 fusion; Ganglioglioma; Neuronal tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / metabolism
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology*
  • Ganglioglioma / metabolism
  • Ganglioglioma / pathology*
  • Ganglioneuroma / metabolism
  • Ganglioneuroma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / metabolism
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor