Topographical anatomy of human cerebral and cerebellar astrocytomas in vitro.

This study further characterizes the morphological and in vitro properties of human neoplastic cells derived from one Grade IV cerebral astrocytoma and one Grade III cerebellar astrocytoma. Light microscopic observations performed weekly over a four month period revealed two morphologically indistinguishable cell populations in each of the tumor cultures. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of microvilli, blegs, and ruffles on the cell surfaces of both tumors; however, these topographical features were more prominent in the cultures derived from the Grade III cerebellar astrocytoma. Scanning electron microscopy may provide a useful tool for the further morphologic classification of human astrocytomas.