Introduction:

Tumors of the central nervous system occupies the second place in frequency among Childhood malignancies. The World Health Organization actualized its classification on 2016 incorporating molecular tests added to the classic histologic and immunohistochemical findings. We describe the histopathological findings in addition to the expression of the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1) in the analysis of the astrocytic tumors as this new classification recommended.

Material and methods:

A retrospective, transversal, observational and descriptive study was carried out over the tumoral slides samples of cases attended at the Teleton Oncology Children’s Hospital, the slides were dyed with hematoxylin/eosin, and immunohistochemistry and expression of IDH-1 were used to classify them according to the WHO 2016.

Results:

Twenty-one consecutive cases with astrocytic tumors were included; 53.8% classified as low grade, 23.8% as high-grade and 23.8% were not analyzed; the supratentorial location (n = 12) was the most observed. Eight infiltrating glial tumors, four corresponding to grade II, one grade III and three IV were selected to perform IDH-1 all showing expression of mutated HDI-1.

Discussion:

The WHO 2016 classification incorporates, among other markers, IDH-1 to the analysis of glial tumors being the only that could predict response to temozolamide and better prognosis. The accurate diagnosis of CNS neoplasms should be based on the clinical, imaging and histopathological diagnosis to know more precisely the prognosis of the patient. In the future, it is expected that molecular techniques will be useful in diagnosing, staging and response to treatment with targeted therapies, and in the prognosis of cancer. The pathologists will have to incorporate the biotechnological advances prioritizing the cost and the clinical applicability of them.