[Criteria for the operability and inoperability of malignant tumors in the cerebral hemispheres among children].

At the Moscow Burdenko Institute, 128 children with malignant tumours of the cerebral hemispheres were operated on within 10 years: 87 total removals, 28 subtotal resections, 13 biopsies and explorations. Lethality of the first 10 days: 7. Size and extent of the tumours do not yield any contraindications for surgery. Rapid section examination does not give sufficient information about the postoperative course. Some patients with histologically malignant tumours have been under after-observation for 10 to 15 years. Only the intraoperative macroscopic findings permit a decision with respect to operability and the further course will enable a prognosis. Only neoplasms without any signs of brain pressure which are clearly located in or on the brain stem are considered to be contraindications. All other tumours are treated surgically.