Extracranial metastases of a glioblastoma multiforme to the pleura, small bowel and pancreas

J Clin Neurosci. 2006 Jul;13(6):677-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2005.08.016. Epub 2006 Jul 11.

Abstract

Extracranial metastases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are rare and usually occur in the context of recurrent intracranial GBM. We present a 39-year-old man with histologically confirmed GBM. The patient remained well for nearly 2 years, with no signs of recurrent tumour. He then presented with distant recurrence within the brain at the same time as developing pneumonia and epigastric pain. A computed tomography scan of the patient's abdomen and chest showed several intra-abdominal masses, including one in the head of the pancreas as well as a separate mass at the base of the left lung. A computed tomography-guided biopsy of the pancreatic mass demonstrated histological appearances identical to those of the original GBM. This unusual case raises the possibility of a link between prolonged survival with GBM and the occurrence of extracranial disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Pleural Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase