TUMORS OF THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM AND SERUM SIALIC-ACID CONCENTRATION IN MEN AND WOMEN

In a population-based study serum sialic acid level was examined in re lation to subsequent development of central nervous system (CNS) tumou rs (229 cases). Significantly increased sialic acid concentration was found in men with a malignant CNS tumour diagnosed within 8 years of a nalysis, compared with corresponding matched controls. These findings suggest that the tumour existed at the time of examination which is su pported by a negative linear association between sialic acid level and the time from screening to tumour diagnosis.