title: Familial glioblastoma: A case report of glioblastoma in two brothers and review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gliomas that aggregate in families with history of malignancy may have an inheritable genetic basis. Gliomas can occur in several well known tumor syndromes. However, their occurrence in the absence of these syndromes is quite rare. High-grade gliomas, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are the most common and most lethal primary cancers of the central nervous system (CNS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of two brothers both diagnosed with GBM. Both siblings underwent biopsy with debulking of the tumors by different surgeons. Only one sibling elected to undergo chemotherapy and radiation. Cytogenetic studies were possible only on one sibling and the tumor specimen revealed multiple chromosomal abnormalities, including triploidies 4, 8, 12, 22 and loss of heterozygosity of 1p, 9p, and 10. Histological samples for both tumors were similar, both revealing increased cellularity consisting of gemistocytic astrocytes, central necrosis, and microvascularization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present two brothers who display a rare familial relationship in the development of their GBMs. Supplementary and improved genetic studies may allow for specific treatment modalities as certain genetic abnormalities have better response to tailored treatments and carry better prognoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Oakwood Medical Center, Dearborn, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Ifeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ugonabo
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bassily
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beier
authors.forename: Jacky T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hitchcock
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Mattia
authors.forename: Aftab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karim