Astroblastoma in a child.
BACKGROUND
Astroblastoma, an uncommon neuroepithelial tumor, typically presents in young adults as a well-circumscribed cortical or subcortical spherical mass. Astroblastoma may cause a diagnostic problem to anyone unfamiliar with its architectural and histological features.


METHODS
We report the case of a 4-year-old boy who was referred for complaints of progressive deficits of balance and difficulty with walking during the previous 3 months. A large fronto-parietal cystic mass with solid mural nodule was discovered. Total removal of the tumor mass was performed, and a diagnosis of high grade (malignant) variant of astroblastoma was made. Postoperatively, the patient received radiation therapy, for a period of 11 weeks, followed by chemotherapy. He is in a good neurological recovery without any evidence of recurrence for 8 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The best treatment modality for astroblastoma is surgical resection if possible, whereas adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy) can be considered in high-grade astroblastomas, with a close follow-up for all cases.
Unal
Ekrem
E
Department of Pediatrics, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, 42080, Meram, Konya, Turkey. drekremunal@yahoo.com.tr
Koksal
Yavuz
Y
Vajtai
Istvan
I
Toy
Hatice
H
Kocaogullar
Yalcin
Y
Paksoy
Yahya
Y
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011878:Radiotherapy