Osteoblastic metastases from astrocytomas: a report of two cases.
The spread of primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms beyond the confines of the neuraxis is a relatively uncommon observation. Extraneural metastases involving bone are quite rare, and have been observed almost exclusively in cases of medulloblastoma, high-grade (III-IV) astrocytoma, and glioblastoma multiforme. To date there has been only one case reported of bone metastasis from a "well-differentiated" astrocytoma. We now report two cases of astrocytoma in children with diffuse osteoblastic metastases and a fulminant clinical course. These cases demonstrate that due to the potential morphologic heterogeneity of these neoplasms, an initial biopsy diagnosis of low-grade astrocytoma does not always imply a benign clinical course.
Longee
D C
DC
Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Friedman
H S
HS
Phillips
P C
PC
Burger
P C
PC
Oakes
W J
WJ
Heffez
D
D
Wharam
M
M
Strauss
L
L
Fuller
G N
GN
Schold
S C
SC
D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary