Multiple sclerosis and cerebral tumor

Two cases of long-standing multiple sclerosis (MS) are presented. During the course of this disease signs of a space-occupying lesion in the brain developed. An astrocytoma was diagnosed by biopsy in both patients. A later postmortem examination in one of them revealed a diffuse glioma with extension of tumor cells into the brain stem and cerebellum. Current opinions on the development of cerebral gliomatous tumors and of malignant lymphomas in patients with MS are discussed. Recent immunopathologic aspects are considered.