THE NATURAL-HISTORY OF A RECURRENT CENTRAL NEUROCYTOMA-LIKE TUMOR

The central neurocytoma was first recognized as a distinct entity in 1 982. The original description was of a low grade, intraventricular neo plasm composed of uniform cells showing neuronal differentiation, and having a very favorable prognosis after surgery. Subsequently rare cas es have been described showing malignant histological features but ret aining the morphological characteristics that justify inclusion in thi s category. The behavior of such cases has yet to be determined. We re port a case of a longstanding intraventricular tumor showing neuronal differentiation in which repeated recurrences following surgery have r evealed evidence of increasing nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic activity and glial differentiation. We suggest that this tumor broadens further the clinical and pathological spectrum of central neurocytoma.