Astrocytoma with angiamatoid vascular proliferation ("angiomatous astrocytoma")

We report a surgical case of unusual anaplastic astrocytoma which was accom panied by an exuberant proliferation of abnormal blood vessels with feature s resembling those of capillary telangiectasis or cavernous angioma. The pa tient was a 39-year-old man, who presented with a generalized convulsive se izure, and neuroradiological examination revealed a tumor in the left front al lobe. The resected tumor showed the features of an anaplastic astrocytom a, grade 3. The proliferation of abnormal blood vessels with dilated lumina and thin walls was seen throughout the tumor, and in the central area thes e vessels were densely packed and almost replaced the neoplastic astrocytic tissue. Although these dense vascular aggregates in the central area close ly simulated capillary telangiectasis or cavernous angioma, they were consi dered to be of a reactive nature. The term "angiomatous astrocytoma", which is analogous to angiomatous meningioma, seemed to be the most appropriate for the present tumor.