[Malignant case of angiofibroma (author's transl)]

Various opinions about the etiopathogenesis of angiofibroma are mentioned. The authors, however, have not succeeded in confirming the frequently mentioned theory of hormonal formation of these tumours. It appears that surgical therapy is the only efficient way today of providing a clear view and a rapid radical removal of tumours, thus reducing the usually profuse haemorrhage during surgical treatment. Pre-operative ligation of the external carotid artery has no noticable effect on the reduction of haemorrhage during the operation. X-rays have no effect on the growth of the tumours. There is no great difference between the histological picture of a primary tumour and that of its recurrences. The malignant course of an angiofibroma in an adult is described which recurred several times and led to the involvement of the endocranium with a letal ending. The histological picture remained unchanged all the time. A spreading of the tumour was noticed in areas distant from the primary localisation of the tumour which we consider to be due to implantation and which indicates great potential growth of tumour cells of this angiofibroma.