ARGYROPHILIC NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZER REGION (AGNOR) COUNTING IN ASTROCYTIC GLIOMAS - PROGNOSTIC VALUE

In 87 astrocytic gliomas the number of AgNORs/nucleus was retrospectiv ely studied and data correlated with the histological type of the tumo rs and survival. All patients were treated by the same surgical team a nd with uniform criteria. Statistically significant differences (p<0.0 1) were found in relation with the AgNOR averages among the histologic al types of tumors. A statistically significant linear correlation (p< 0.05) between the AgNOR values and survival of the patients was also f ound. Patients with mean AgNOR values higher than 2.23 and lower than 2.9 survived an average of 11.5 +/- 9.1 months vs, a survival in avera ge of 24.4 +/- 34.1 months with mean AgNOR values under 2.23 (p<0.05). Patients with AgNOR values higher than 2.9 survived, on average, 7.7 +/- 3.9 months. AgNOR counting in astrocytic gliomas is a reproducible , easy, quick method with prognostic value, AgNORs may be successfully applied in routine material to assess the growth potential of astrocy tic gliomas.