[Malignant astrocytoma and glioblastoma. Therapeutic results]

Statistical analysis of therapeutic results in malignant gliomas is impeded by the discrepancies between the various classifications. We have distinguished glioblastomas from malignant astrocytomas. The latter are defined as malignant gliomas other than glioblastomas with CT scan enhancement after IV contrast. The discrimination between these two types of tumor is justified by the very different actuarial survival curves. Total survival was not prolonged by chemotherapy in randomized studies. Systematic sequential treatment of glioblastomas with VM26-CCNU is questionable.