MULTICENTRIC AND MULTIFOCAL PRIMARY CEREBRAL-TUMORS - METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Forty patients with multifocal and multicentric cerebral tumours were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups: te n patients with multicentric tumours (group A), and 30 patients with m ultifocal tumours. As far as their preoperative clinical history and t he incidence of the various symptoms and signs are concerned, there we re no significant differences between the two groups. CT permitted a c orrect diagnosis in 90% of the cases. All of the patients underwent th e removal of the tumour(s) and received radiotherapy; 30 patients also received chemotherapy. In group A, nine patients died and one was los t to follow-up one year after treatment; the average survival was ten months from the appearance of the multicentric tumour. In group B, 29 patients died and one is still alive two years after treatment; the av erage survival was six months. We consider the problems of diagnosis a nd the long-term follow-up of patients.