Primary sarcomas of the central nervous system

The medical files of 14 patients with primary brain and spine sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed. Ten patients had primary brain sarcomas and 4 pr imary spinal sarcomas, The tumors probably originated in the brain substanc e or blood vessels, in the meninges or in the inner aspect of the skull. Th e spinal tumors originated in the nerve roots of the cauda equina and in th e spinal substance or blood vessels. The most common type was angiosarcoma, Removal of the brain tumors was performed in 95% of the patients. Radiothe rapy was delivered to 6 patients with brain sarcomas and to all patients wi th primary spinal sarcomas. Metastatic disease to the lung or pleural effus ion was evident in 2 patients who underwent total removal of their tumors f ollowed by radiation therapy. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.