Intraventricular Pilocytic Astrocytoma in Adults: A 25-year Single-Center Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are the most common gliomas in children/adolescents but are less common and poorly studied in adults. Here, we describe the clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcomes of surgically treated adult patients with intraventricular (IV) PA and review the literature. Consecutive adult patients treated for IV brain tumors at a tertiary academic center over 25 years (1997-2023) were identified. Clinical data were reviewed retrospectively for adult IV PA patients. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. 8 patients with IV PA were included. Median age was 25 years (range, 18-69 years), and 4 (50%) were female. The most common tumor location was the lateral ventricle (5, 63%), followed by the 4th ventricle (3, 37%). Subtotal and near-total resection were the most common surgical outcomes (6 patients, 75%), followed by gross total resection in 2 (25%). Progression or recurrence occurred in 3 patients (37%), requiring repeat resection in 2 patients. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival were 67% and 40%, respectively. In addition, 42 cases were identified in the literature. PAs in adults are rare, and an IV location is even more uncommon. The findings demonstrate the challenges in caring for these patients, with overall- and progression-free survival outcomes being poorer than the general adult PA population. Findings support the employment of surgical techniques and approaches that favor gross total resection when possible. Further studies are needed to better characterize this unique presentation.