DNA-determination in the clinical management of patients with meningioma or haemangioblastoma.

The histopathology and clinical course of 15 benign (grade I) and nine anaplastic (grade II-III) meningiomas was reviewed and compared with the nuclear DNA distribution patterns of the tumour cells as determined by Feulgen staining with ensuing image and flow cytometry. In addition, eight haemangioblastomas were studied. One benign meningioma, three anaplastic meningiomas and two haemangioblastomas were aneuploid. The outcome could be well predicted from standard histopathological criteria and a critical evaluation of the extent of removal at operation. The determination of nuclear DNA contents did not add further information useful in the management of these meningioma patients. Histopathologically aggressive or frankly anaplastic tumours had a bad outcome. The clinical results underline the importance of aggressive treatment of anaplastic meningiomas.