Genetic characterization of adult infratentorial gliomas

Adult infratentorial gliomas are rare and have not been well studied. We therefore conducted genetic analysis of those tumors to see if there was any characteristic that could be relevant in clinical management and understanding of tumorigenesis. Nineteen adult infratentorial gliomas were analyzed for chromosomal aberration by comparative genomic hybridization, and for expression of p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by immunohistochemistry. The most frequent chromosomal aberration was the gain of 7p, and five of the seven cerebellar or fourth ventricle malignant gliomas had that aberration. However, the gain of 7q, the characteristic abnormality of supratentorial astrocytomas commonly associated with the gaining of 7p, was observed only in 1 of 11 adult infratentorial astrocytic tumors. Combined losses of 1p and 19q, the genetic hallmark of oligodendroglioma, were not observed. Results of immunohistochemistry of p53 and EGFR were comparable to those reported in supratentorial gliomas. Our findings might suggest the presence of distinct tumorigenic pathway in adult infratentorial gliomas.