The tumour which comes next to be described is decidedly malignant.
It is the Encephaloid, or Medullary Sarcoma. Although these tumours
have been called encephaloid and medullary, it must not be understood
that their intimate structure has any relation to that of the brain or
marrow; for this reason the old term _fungoid_ is perhaps a preferable
one, since it leads to no false notion as to their nature, while
it expresses a condition which at one time or other is remarkably
characteristic of them. This tumour consists of a homogeneous matter,
resembling the substance of the brain in colour and consistence It
rarely has a distinct cyst; occasionally it is subdivided by membranous
bands. It is always soft, though often more so in some parts than in
others; portions of it being frequently so much softened and broken
down as to resemble thick cream in consistence, and these are generally
of a darker colour, from being mixed with a greater or less quantity
of effused blood. Partial or universal softening only occurs after
the tumour has existed for some time, for in its original state its
structure and density are uniform throughout; and, on making a section
of it, some few drops of blood may escape from vessels, the coats of
which are of a very delicate nature. Some of these vessels seem to give
way, in consequence of the process of softening, for we frequently
meet with fluid blood, or masses of fibrin, in the midst of the pulpy
matter; and, when the softening has been extensive, the blood is
diffused throughout the whole substance of the tumour, so that it will
appear to be chiefly, or entirely, composed of effused and degenerated
blood, as here represented.
[Illustration]
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