Giant cell gliomas of the temporal lobe

Summary

Giant cell tumours of the brain are commonly a) monstrocellular sarcomas, b) giant cell glioblastomas or gliosarcomas, or c) “giant cell gliomas”,i.e. gliomas characterized by many atypical, giant-sized cells with monstrous nuclei. This last group is commonly found in the temporal region and should not be mistaken for a) and b), because, in spite of their “malignant” appearance, these tumours can present benign biological behaviour.

Three such cases are described. In two cases the patients received postoperatively neither radio- nor chemotherapy: seven and three years respectively after operation no signs of recurrences were present. A third patient died within two years after operation. However, his tumour had histological signs of malignancy.

The importance of exact histological diagnosis is stressed. This prevents misinterpretations in estimating the efficacy of postoperative therapy.