Education Objectives - Non-Glial Tumors

Know how to recognize histologic patterns of meningiomas with prognostic significance, as well as those patterns that present potential diagnostic confusion with other tumors.

Know how to discuss the current Mayo criteria for meningioma grading, and its major differences from earlier grading schemes

Know the role of immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy in the work-up of pituitary adenomas.

Know how to recognize the major phenotypes of CNS lymphoma and lymphoproliferative disorders, the populations at risk, viral associations, and the role of ancillary studies

Know the anatomical, pathologic, and prognostic characteristics of chordoma vs. chondrosarcoma.

Know how to discuss the differential diagnosis of sellar/suprasellar, pineal region, and intraventricular mass lesions.

Know how to discuss the differential diagnosis for spinal tumors in the extradural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary compartments.

Know how to distinguish between schwannomas and neurofibromas, and recognize pathologic patterns with potential clinical impact, as well as those patterns that present potential diagnostic confusion with more aggressive entities.

Know how to discuss the differential diagnosis and work-up of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and name the clinical setting where CNS leiomyosarcoma enters the differential.

Know the common primary sites for tumors metastatic to the brain, understand the role of immunohistochemistry in the work up of metastatic lesions, and be aware of less common metastases of younger patients such as alveolar soft part sarcoma and choriocarcinoma

Know the genetics, CNS, skin, ophthalmic, visceral and osseus manifestations of neurofibromatosis types 1 & 2, tuberous sclerosis, Cowden’s , Gorlin’s, hereditary polyposis, Li Fraumeni, MEN1, 2a, and 2b.