Biology and Morphology of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Abstract

Of all the cerebral neoplasms glioblastoma multiforme is the one most like carcinomas of other organs; it occurs at the cancer age, grows at a rapid rate, infiltrates and destroys neighbouring tissues and forms metastases.The glioblastoma is however strictly localized to the system of the organ in which it arises, does not invade the mesodermal tissue (e.g. the dura) and produces metastases only in the subarachnoid space, that is in a part of its own organ.Where metastases from a 'glioblastoma multiforme' occur in the extracranial organs, an incorrectly classified monstrocellular sarcoma is usually the true causal agent.However, the threat to life of the glioblastoma is comparable with that of most malignant growths.At least a fifth to a sixth of all intracranial tumours are glioblastomas, which thus form the most common cerebral neoplasms.The first title under which this type of tumour appeared was the 'telangiectatic' or 'haemorrhagic' glioma in Virchow's nomenclature.In the classification of BAILEY & CUSHING it occurred again under the heading 'spongioblastoma multiforme' ; this was changed to 'glioblastoma multiforme' in order to avoid confusion with the (uni-) polar spongioblastoma.The latter is of course very benign.The term 'multiforme' is also macroscopically characteristic ; a mixture of colours is evident in the brain section: the yellow of fatty infiltration, the 5-493004.