Neuropathology: Practice Question

Rosettes are tumor cells surrounding or roughly circling a tissue. Which of the following correctly pairs the type of rosette with the description?
  1. True rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen
  2. Pseudorosette - tumor cells surrounding a central lumen containing cytoplasmic extensions from the cells
  3. Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen
  4. Homer-Wright rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen
Show Answer and Explanations

True rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen — Correct answer

Correct. True rosette (true ependymal rosette) consists of tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen. It is found in ependymoma.

Pseudorosette - tumor cells surrounding a central lumen containing cytoplasmic extensions from the cells

Incorrect. Pseudorosettes consist of tumor cells surrounding a blood vessel. They are found in ependymomas, PNET, medulloblastoma, astroblastoma, glioblastoma, and central neurocytoma.

Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen

Incorrect. Flexner-Wintersteiner rosette has tumor cells surrounding central lumens that contain cytoplasmic extensions from the cells. It is commonly found in retinoblastomas.

Homer-Wright rosette - tumor cells surrounding an empty lumen

Incorrect. Homer-Wright rosettes consist of tumor cells surrounding neuropil.

Summary

Summary: True rosettes have tumor cells around a central lumen and are found in ependymoma. Pseudorosettes have tumor cells around a blood vessel.
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