Multicentric glioblastoma multiforme. Report of 3 cases, clinical and pathological study and literature review.

Multicentric gliomas are uncommon lesions of the central nervous system. Their management remains controversial, but histopathologic diagnosis after complete or partial resection must be performed to differentiate these tumors from other multiple cerebral lesions. Three cases of multicentric glioma are presented, one of which had supra- and infratentorial lesions. Histological specimens were obtained from removal of at least one of the lesions. Neuropathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of grade IV malignant glioma (glioblastoma). All 3 patients died soon after symptom onset. However, one patient, with metachronous glioblastomas, had a comparatively long survival. We discuss the pathogenetic hypotheses and the diagnostic problems, especially the differential diagnosis from other multifocal diseases of the central nervous system.