[Cryosurgical treatment of malignant tumors in the cerebral hemispheres]

In 35 patients with deep-lying and medial gliomas (25 cases of glioblastoma multiforma, 10 cases of dedifferentiated astrocytoma), stereotactic cryodestructions were performed after preceding biopsies. Diagnosis was made in the usual manner, mainly by means of angiography. Sites of action were the tumour mass proper and the blood supply zones. In some cases, partial removal of the tumour was carried out in the usual way before or after cryodestruction. There are 3 kinds of further development after cryodestruction: regression, slow progression and rapid progression. Progression was found in 14 patients; 9 patients died within 2 weeks after the operation. In their cases, cryodestruction was by far insufficient. Dedifferentiated astrocytomas showed more a regressive behaviour than multiform glioblastomas. The possibility of local chemotherapy was also utilised.