A pathologic study of malignant gliomas operated after radio- and chemotherapy

Fifteen biopsies of malignant gliomas, treated before surgery by radio- and chemotherapy, have been studied. The aim of the study was to ascertain if the tissue changes, which have already been observed in autopsy samples and are related to the above mentioned treatments, occur also in biopsy samples. Even taking into due account the limitations imposed by the small number of cases, a positive correlation was found between macrophages, vessel degenerations, endothelial proliferations and radiation therapy as well as between monster cell increase and chemotherapy. These findings are consistent with those obtained with autopsy material and demonstrate that tumors after radio- and chemotherapy are more quiescent and contained.