AB010. Analyzing Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) response criteria in WHO grade III anaplastic astrocytomas in comparison to clinician evaluation: a case report

Background: Anaplastic astrocytoma [AA; World Health Organization (WHO) grade III] is a diffusely infiltrative astrocytic brain tumor with anaplasia and represents 3.3% of primary brain tumors. Overall, 5-year median survival can range from 22% to 50%, depending on various prognostic features, including the patient’s age, tumor location and genetics, resection, etc. Given the higher grade and increased likelihood of transformation to WHO-grade IV tumors (glioblastomas), these tumors are generally treated aggressively upfront. Headache and seizures are the most common symptoms, occurring in about 50% of the cases. Other symptoms, including memory loss, motor weakness, language deficit, and cognitive and personality changes, occur in 20% of cases. Standard treatment involves surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but treatment options are greatly limited for progression and recurrence. This paper highlights the case of a 48-year-old male who presents with chronic progressive cephalgia and a new-onset seizure. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with the treatment of AA.

Case Description: We describe a patient who presented with chronic progressive cephalgia, gradual right-sided weakness, an asymmetrical face, slurred speech, and a new-onset focal-to-bilateral seizure. A cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the left frontoparietal region, causing herniation of the cerebri to the right. The patient had a maximal tumor resection, and the histopathology showed tissue sections containing tumors that were infiltrative in the stroma, forming a diffuse pattern consisting of proliferation of oval, round, polygonal, spindle, pleomorphic oval nucleated cells, hyperchromatic, some nucleoli appearing prominent, and cytoplasmaeosinophilic. There were areas of stromal necrosis and mitosis [3/10 high power field (HPF)]. The pathology result was reported with AA. The patient underwent concomitant chemoradiation and followed oral chemotherapy with temozolomid. Subsequent imaging revealed a significant decrease in the tumor’s size and a resolution of the compression of the brain parenchyma underneath. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) evaluation showed partial responses with good clinical improvement.

Conclusions: The case presented an AA that was responsive to radiotherapy and temozolomid chemotherapy. Despite being rare, knowledge of this malignant tumor type and a multidisciplinary approach to case management are essential to optimizing treatment results.

Keywords: Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA); Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology response (RANO response); clinician evaluation; case report