Gemistocytic

Gemistocytic astrocytoma IDH-mutant.

In pathology, the term “gemistocytic” refers to a specific morphological appearance of cells, particularly glial cells known as astrocytes. Gemistocytic astrocytes are characterized by their distinctive shape and features when observed under a microscope. The term “gemistocytic” is derived from the Greek word “gemistos,” meaning full or filled.

Gemistocytic cells typically exhibit the following characteristics:

Enlarged Cell Body (Soma): Gemistocytic astrocytes have a swollen or enlarged cell body compared to normal astrocytes.

Abundant Cytoplasm: The cytoplasm of gemistocytic cells is voluminous, giving the cell a filled appearance.

Elongated and Grooved Nucleus: The nucleus of gemistocytic astrocytes is elongated and often displays grooves or irregularities.

Distinctive Morphology: Gemistocytic cells can be easily distinguished from typical astrocytes due to their larger size and specific cytoplasmic and nuclear features.

The gemistocytic variant is commonly observed in certain types of astrocytomas, a type of brain tumor. Gemistocytic astrocytomas are often associated with higher grades of malignancy and may exhibit more aggressive behavior compared to tumors without gemistocytic features. The classification and grading of brain tumors, including astrocytomas, are typically done using the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO).