[Prognostic implications of the proliferation index (H3-TdR-labeling index) and ploidy in neuroectodermal tumors (astrocytomas and glioblastomas)].

Kinetic cellular methods were used in 53 cases of various sizes of astrocytomas and glioblastomas to obtain reliable prognostic information. Kinetic analysis revealed a wide variation of proliferative activity, with a gradual increase of the mean value from the most differentiated astrocytomas to glioblastomas. DNA content was significantly correlated with the degree of histological differentiation. Chromosomic patterns, which were detected in a few cases, were generally aspecific. The sole recurrent alteration in the karyotype was a small metacentric marker. The comparison of results obtained with the follow-up of patients showed that the labeling index offers a more accurate estimate of the proliferative potential of individual tumours, and thus of the probability of survival, than histological diagnosis and the evaluation of other biological parameters such as ploidy and karyotype.