PDGFRA amplification is reportedly present in up to 29% of pediatric and 21% of adult high-grade astrocytomas when assessed by fluorescent in situ hydridization. Copy number alterations of this gene have been reported in approximately 11% of adult glioblastoma making it the second most commonly altered receptor tyrosine kinase after EGFR. In those adult glioblastomas that are IDH-mutant, there is evidence to suggest that amplification of PDGFRA is associated with worse overall survival.

This gene is a known cancer gene.