J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1984 Jun;13(2):227-235.

Immunohistochemical Study of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Glial Tumors of the Brain

• Song KY
• Yoo JH
• Chi JG

Abstract

A total of 47 glial tumors of the brain was studied for the demonstration of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFA) in tumor cells. This study was primarily aimed to confirm the applicability in the differential diagnosis of various glial tumors occuring in central nervous system. Intracellular positivity was observed only in well differentiated and moderately differentiated astrocytoma cells. GFA was negative in primitive glioma and oligodendroglioma. In glioblastoma multiforme pleomorphic cells were positive for GFA while spindle cells were negative. Elongated ependymoma cells arranged particularly around blood vessels were moderately positive for GFA while most cuboidal cells and round cells were negative. GFA was most helpful for the diagnosis of mixed glioma, where a sharp distinction could be made among different cellular component based on GFA staining. In conclusion it was confirmed that GFA is very useful tool for the diagnosis of different glial tumors of central nervous system.

MeSH Terms

Astrocytoma
Blood Vessels
Brain*
Central Nervous System
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Ependymoma
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein*
Glioblastoma
Glioma
Oligodendroglioma
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein