Dispersion of central nervous system tumors

Abstract

✓ The phenomenon of tumor dispersion through cerebrospinal fluid is discussed in relation to observations made in tissue cultures of human central nervous system tumors. Satellite colony formation was observed in cultures of tumors that tend to spread through the CSF. Abnormalities of the tumor cell surface, particularly a reduction of cell-to-cell adhesiveness, probably are important. Although mechanical factors contribute to the formation of both CSF metastases and in vitro satellites, they do not offer a sufficient explanation for these phenomena.

Intracranial Craniopharyngioma Seeding following Radical Resection

“…Dissemination via cerebrospinal fluid seeding is a phe nomenon that has usually been associated with malignant central nervous system tumors [20][21][22], In vitro studies show that satellite formation in culture may correlate well with malignant potential [23], Craniopharyngiomas, how ever, are histologically benign; they do not produce satel lites in culture [3,23,24], An atypical subgroup does exist that appears more aggressive both in culture and in elec tron microscopic studies, correlating with a more aggres sive clinical course [3]. A solitary report of malignant transformation within a craniopharyngioma [25] oc curred after, and possibly as a result of therapeutic irra diation following incomplete resection.…”