Primary cerebral gliosarcoma: report of 17 cases

A retrospective study of 17 cases of primary cerebral gliosarcoma is presented. These uncommon highly aggressive intracranial neoplasms were seen at the Royal Preston Hospital, between 1973 and 1992. The patients' ages ranged from 21 to 73 years (mean 52), nine were males and eight were females. They presented with signs and symptoms of a rapidly expanding brain tumour. The diagnosis was suspected on radiological findings and confirmed by histological examination. Treatment involved surgical excision in 15 cases and biopsy in two followed by radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given in three cases. Despite active management, median survival was only 9 months. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of these lesions are highlighted with emphasis on combined histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The features of gliosarcoma and glioblastoma are compared and contrasted.