Gliosarcoma

GLIOSARCOMA, or (according to Borst) glioma sarcomatodes, glioplastic sarcoma, represents, in the opinion of most authors, a variety of glioma (see), specifically a soft glioma rich in neuroglial cells and containing almost no differentiated neuroglial fibers. Some propose to retain the term G. only for those cases where there is combined growth of ectodermal and mesodermal elements (glioma + sarcoma). Typical (purely neuroglial) gliosarcomas microscopically resemble round-cell sarcoma; clinically, however, they are less malignant, usually do not metastasize; sometimes infiltration of the meninges, bones, and soft tissues by the tumor is observed. The most frequent location of G. is the retina (see). Lit.—see lit. to article Glioma.