Twelve cases of a distinctive form of supratentorial astrocytoma occurring in young subjects (ages 7 to 25) are reported. The tumors were superficial and involved the leptomeninges extensively. The tumor cells display marked pleomorphism, including bizarre giant cells and a number of mitotic figures, but no necrosis. Many contain large amounts of lipid in their cytoplasm and are surrounded by reticulin fibers, thus simulating a mesenchymal tumor. For these reasons, some examples of this tumor have been previously interpreted to represent meningocerebral fibrous xanthomas. Immunoperoxidase technique performed in nine of the twelve cases has, however, established the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the tumor cells, which are therefore considered to be astrocytic. By electron microscopy many tumor cells are surrounded by basal laminae, accounting for the abundant reticulin network demonstrable in silver preparations. Since subpial astrocytes are known to be partly covered by a basal lamina, it is likely that they are the cells of origin for this neoplasm. In contrast to its pleomorphic cytology, the biological behavior of this tumor appears to be relatively favorable, and long survival times (up to 25 years) have been recorded in some cases. (These tumors are distinct from intracranial fibrous xanthomas of mesenchymal derivation. Cells of the latter are negative on GFAP stain.)

https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/1097-0142%28197911%2944%3A5%3C1839%3A%3AAID-CNCR2820440543%3E3.0.CO%3B2-0

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma : A distinctive meningocerebral glioma of young subjects with relatively favorable prognosis. A study of 12 cases

The leaky gut of alcoholism: possible route of entry for toxic compounds

https://www.amjmed.com/article/0002-9343(84)90776-9/pdf

Protein-calorie malnutrition associated with alcoholic hepatitis: Veterans administration cooperative study group on alcoholic hepatitis

Effects of ethanol on lipid metabolism.

Radiation therapy plays an integral part in managing intracranial tumors. While the risk:benefit ratio is considered acceptable for treating malignant tumors, risks of long-term complications of radiotherapy need thorough assessment in adults treated for benign tumors. Many previously reported delayed complications of radiotherapy can be attributed to inappropriate treatment or to the sensitivity of a developing child's brain to radiation. Medical records, radiological studies, autopsy findings, and follow-up information were reviewed for 58 adult patients (31 men and 27 women) treated between 1958 and 1987 with radiotherapy for benign intracranial tumors. Patient ages at the time of irradiation ranged from 21 to 87 years (mean 47.7 years). The pathology included 46 pituitary adenomas, five meningiomas, four glomus jugulare tumors, two pineal area tumors, and one craniopharyngioma. Average radiation dosage was 4984 cGy (range 3100 to 7012 cGy), given in an average of 27.2 fractions (range 15 to 45 fractions), over a period averaging 46.6 days. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 31 years (mean 8.1 years). Findings related to tumor recurrence or surgery were excluded. Twenty-two patients had complications considered to be delayed side effects of radiotherapy. Two patients had visual deterioration developing 3 and 6 years after treatment; six had pituitary dysfunction; and 17 had varying degrees of parenchymal changes of the brain, occurring mostly in the temporal lobes and relating to the frequent presentation of pituitary tumors (two of these also had pituitary dysfunction). One clival tumor with the radiographic appearance of a meningioma, developed 30 years post-irradiation for acromegaly. This study unveils considerable delayed sequelae of radiotherapy in a series of adult patients receiving what is considered "safe" treatment for benign brain tumors.

The long-term side effects of radiation therapy for benign brain tumors in adults

An autopsy case of radiation-induced intracranial malignant fibrous histiocytoma (fibroxanthosarcoma) is reported. The tumor developed in the region of the sella turcica 11 years after high dose radiotherapy of a chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary. The tumor had infiltrated the base of the brain as well as the base of the skull. Metastases were not found. The tumor was composed of an admixture of bizarre fibroblasts, histiocytes and giant cells, xanthoma cells and siderophages, with a storiform fibrous stroma. This appears to be the first documented instance of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurring intracranially after local x-irradiation.

Richard E. Slavin

Papers

Radiation-induced intracranial malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Pancreatic function and intestinal absorption in chronic alcoholism.