Genomic Landscape of Intramedullary Astrocytoma
Genomic Landscape of Intramedullary Astrocytoma
intramedullary astrocytoma is a rare and devastating spinal cord glioma. while the management
 of intracranial astrocytoma includes gross total resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy,
 spinal cord astrocytoma is very difficult to be totally removed due to its infiltrative
 nature and unclear plane of dissection; Moreover, the use radiotherapy and chemotherapy for
 spinal cord astrocytoma is controversial. Therefore, the treatment for spinal cord
 astrocytoma is very limited as compared to its intracranial counterpart. Inadequate
 understanding of spinal cord astrocytoma mainly contribute to limited treatment, while the
 molecular profiling of intracranial astrocytoma is relatively well understood. Hence, we
 performed whole-exome sequencing of intramedullary astrocytoma aiming to identify the
 pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spinal cord astrocytoma
Intramedullary tumor only account for 2-4% of central nervous tumor. Of which, ependymoma and
 astrocytoma represent the most common intramedullary tumor. Although intramedullary
 astrocytoma is rare, it can cause significant mortality and morbidity. Different from its
 intracranial counterpart which can receive gross total resection and standard adjuvant
 treatment, intramedullary astrocytoma always cannot be removed completed due to its
 infiltrative nature and, additionally, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is controversial.
 Therefore, the treatment for this tumor is very limited. While the genetic profiling of
 intracranial astrocytoma is relatively well understood and standard treatment strategy has
 been developed, genetic alteration of intramedullary astrocytoma is less well understood.
 Identification of the molecular profiling can lead to well understanding of the
 pathophysiological mechanisms underlying intramedullary astrocytoma and more effective
 therapeutic strategy in future. Hence, we performed this study aiming to investigate the
 genetic profiling of intramedullary. All patients with intramedullary astrocytoma underwent
 surgery in our institution will be enrolled. Tumor tissue and matching blood will be obtained
 after the surgery. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from these
 specimens. Moreover, demographic information, progress-free survival and overall survival
 will be evaluated in 3 year of follow-up after the initial diagnosis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  patients that histologically diagnosed as primary spinal cord astrocytoma

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  patients with spinal cord tumors rather than astrocytoma

 -  metastatic astrocytoma

 -  tumor sample can not be obtained