[State of the blood coagulation in glial tumors of the brain]

The data presented may be of definite value in the prevention of hemorrhage and thrombosis in patients with malignant glial tumors. A malignant glioma may lead to increased activity of the blood coagulation system (BCS). Preoperative staining of the tumor was not attended by marked changes in the BCS and blood viscocity, though a tendency towards an increase in BCS activity according to some of the indices may sometimes be noted. Chemotherapy with nitrosourea and methotrexate was attended by thrombocytopenia but there was practically no changes in the other BCS indices. The postoperative period is usually marked by increased BCS activity according to most of the indices. Increased blood viscocity is often encountered in patients with glial cerebral tumors in the preoperative and postoperative periods, which is evidently due to the intensive dehydration therapy to which they are subjected in marked increase of intracranial pressure.