Extraneural spread of glioblastoma--report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive tumor, accounts for the majority of all primary brain tumors in adults. Despite a destructive local growth pattern, extraneural spread of these tumors is extremely rare. CASE 1: We describe the case of a 58-year-old man with glioblastoma, in whom an epidural mass was diagnosed 5 months after initial local therapy of the brain. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan revealed multiple metastases in the lungs, in the retroperitoneum, and in the left trochanter minor region. A soft tissue swelling of the right thigh was histologically proven to be metastatic tissue from the primary glioblastoma. The patient died 11 months after initial diagnosis. CASE 2: A 47-year-old woman with recurrent glioblastoma had a long lasting complete response to chemotherapy. 2 years after initial diagnosis she presented with a pleural mass which was a metastasis of the formerly diagnosed glioblastoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Although systemic metastases in glioblastoma are rare, different organs can be involved.
Templeton
Arnoud
A
Medizinische Onkologie, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Schweiz. arnoud.templeton@kssg.ch
Hofer
Silvia
S
Töpfer
Michael
M
Sommacal
Andreas
A
Fretz
Christian
C
Cerny
Thomas
T
Gillessen
Silke
S
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D015174:Epidural Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness