PRIMARY CEREBRAL GLIOSARCOMA - REPORT OF 17 CASES

A retrospective study of 17 cases of primary cerebral gliosarcoma is p resented. These uncommon highly aggressive intracranial neoplasms were seen at the Royal Preston Hospital, between 1973 and 1992. The patien ts' ages ranged from 21 to 73 years (mean 52), nine were males and eig ht were females. They presented with signs and symptoms of a rapidly e xpanding brain tumour. The diagnosis was suspected on radiological fin dings and confirmed by histological examination. Treatment involved su rgical excision in 15 cases and biopsy in two followed by radiotherapy . Chemotherapy was given in three cases. Despite active management, me dian survival was only 9 months. The clinical, radiological and pathol ogical features of these lesions are highlighted with emphasis on comb ined histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The features of gliosarc oma and glioblastoma are compared and contrasted.