Prognostic Significance of Contrast Enhancement in Low-grade Astrocytomas of the Adult Cerebrum

Between 1974 and 1977, 22 adults with low-grade (Grade I or II) astrocytomas of the cerebrum underwent initial computed tomography (CT) and craniotomy followed by irradiation of 5,000 to 6,000 rad (50 to 60 Gy). The four-year actuarial or life table survival rate was 58% for the eight patients whose initial CT scans showed contrast enhancement and 65% for the 14 patients whose tumors did not enhance (p = 0.8). Prognostic factors were comparable for the two groups. It is concluded that contrast enhancement has no prognostic significance for low-grade astrocytomas of the adult cerebrum.