Secondary gliosarcoma with extra-cranial metastases: a report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a unique case of secondary gliosarcoma (SGS) with widespread extra-cranial metastases that developed more than 5 years after the initial diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). This interval is the longest among the cases reported to date.


METHODS
A PUBMED search using the key words "secondary gliosarcoma" and "extra-cranial metastases" was performed followed by a review of cited literature.


RESULTS
Including our report, we found 44 cases of SGS, of which only 5 developed extra-cranial metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
SGS with extra-cranial metastases is extremely rare. Of previously reported cases, the longest survival was 2 months after the diagnosis of SGS. The present case had a survival of 6.5 months. Our case highlights the importance of screening for extra-cranial metastases in SGS. The optimal treatment of SGS is not known and strategies based on GBM and sarcoma treatments have been employed with limited success. A combination of treatment modalities may extend survival as in the present report; however the prognosis remains poor.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, United States. richie.dawar@gmail.com
Richa
R
Dawar
Andrew J
AJ
Fabiano
Jingxin
J
Qiu
Nikhil I
NI
Khushalani
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D018316:Gliosarcoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D016634:Radiosurgery; D013534:Survival; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein