Radioautography of Cerebral Tumors Employing P 32 ∗

Abstract

Summary

Radioautographs of human brain tumors and of normal brain, employing P³², have been made in 18 cases. A frozen section technic, without fixation, has been found necessary in order to prevent redistribution of the isotope within the tissues. Autographic blackening has been consistently much higher in tumor tissue than in brain, but is subject to considerable variation within certain tumors. These variations, reflecting differences in uptake of radioactive phosphate ion by various portions of the tumor, may be correlated with certain histologic features in the stained sections. Quantitative microdensitometric measurements have been made, and relative P³² uptake determined from these data. Attempt is being made to correlate radioautographic features, especially in the gliomas, with histologic appearance and with prognosis.