[Cerebral and spinal cord glioma in the same individual multiple or multicentric?].

The problem of multiple primary gliomas is discussed starting from a personal report concerning with a case of coexisting cerebral and intramedullary gliomas. Pathological examination allows the Authors to differentiate the cerebral from the medullary tumor by means of the principles of the new WHO classification of brain tumors. In this way it is possible to support the hypothesis of multicentricity. In diagnosing multiple or multifocal tumors the clinical criteria are preferred to the pathological observations. It is felt that in this way a more correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the multicentric tumors may yield good results. The theoretical basis for multicentric growth conclude the work.