Proliferation markers as a tool in oncological neuropathology

Unique character of brain tumors and problems inherent in different concepts of histological classification are impediments to effective histoprognosis. Large place for subjectivity may be diminished by integration of kinetics data into evaluation of tumor samples. Methods of measuring cell proliferation include immunohistochemical detection of halogenated or tritiated pyrimidine analogues after intravenous injection and nuclear antigens associated with the cell cycle, other methods are selective silver staining and modified flow cytometry. In this study, the literature concerning the use of proliferation markers in neurooncology is reviewed and the problems consisting in used methods are pointed out. The most reliable markers and techniques are recommended and situations of special importance for the cell proliferation markers use specified.