Molecular characterization of CNS paragangliomas identifies cauda equina paragangliomas as a distinct tumor entity

In this study, we analyzed genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of 57 cauda equina paragangliomas and show that these tumors are epigenetically distinct from non-spinal paragangliomas and other tumors. In contrast to paragangliomas of other sites, chromosomal imbalances are widely lacking in cauda equina paragangliomas. Furthermore, RNA and DNA exome sequencing revealed that frequent genetic alterations found in non-spinal paragangliomas—including the prognostically relevant SDH mutations—are absent in cauda equina paragangliomas. Histologically, cauda equina paragangliomas show frequent ly gangliocytic differentiation and strong immunoreactivity to pan-cytokeratin and cytokeratin 18, which is not common in paragangliomas of other sites. None of our cases had a familial paraganglioma syndrome. Tumors rarely recurred (9%) or presented with multiple lesions within the spinal compartme nt (7%), but did not metastasize outside the CNS. In summary, we show that cauda equina paragangliomas represent a distinct, sporadic tumor entity defined by a unique clinical and morpho-molecular profile.
Source: Acta Neuropathologica - Category: Neurology Source Type: research