Primary bone destruction and extracranial metastases in an atypical glioblastoma with sarcomatoid features

Johanna A Smaal*, Alida A Postma, Jan Beckervordersandforth, Monique Anten

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A man in his early 40s was referred to the neurology department with headache, hemianopsia and a palpable fluctuating mass on the back of his head. Investigations revealed a right-sided parieto-occipital mass with involvement of dura, bone and subcutaneous tissue. After debulking, pathological examination revealed a primary high-grade glioma with sarcomatoid features and a small-cell component. Concurrent chemoradiation was initiated. 10 weeks postoperatively, symptomatic bone metastases were diagnosed. During the clinical course, local and systemic treatment was consecutively administered, in order to control both primary tumour site and metastatic lesions. Due to progression of both intracranial and extracranial tumour load treatment was eventually discontinued; the patient passed away 28 months after initial presentation. The combination of a high-grade glioma with local destruction of the skull and subsequent metastasis is extremely rare and, when these features do occur, warrant a tailored approach to control both intracranial and extracranial tumour load.

Original languageEnglish
Article number247248
Number of pages4
JournalBMJ case Reports
Volume15
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2022

Keywords

  • Brain Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Dura Mater/pathology
  • Glioblastoma/pathology
  • Glioma
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Skull/pathology

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