What is a Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma?
Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a newly discovered type of brain tumor. In the past, this neoplasm was grouped together with pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a slow-growing and benign tumor. Recently, however, it has been shown that PMA demonstrates unique histological features that allow it to be differentiated from PA. Furthermore, PMA tends to behave aggressively and carry a poor prognosis, with significantly shorter survival than typical PA, as well as a high rate of metastasis throughout the nervous system.
