Characterization and Histological Examination of a Rare Giant Cell Glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant glial cell tumor of the brain. GBM typically occurs in the cerebral hemispheres and is characterized as a grade IV neoplasm due to its highly invasive nature. GBM can be subdivided into two subtypes, gliosarcoma and giant cell (GC) glioblastoma. While there are similarities between the subtypes, the biggest differences are the rate of occurrence with GC accounting for only 1% of cases, and the tendency of GC to occur more commonly in younger aged patients. In this case study, a GC neoplasm is documented in a 68-year-old male cadaver.

Morphogenetic and Imaging Characteristics in Giant Cell Glioblastoma

“…The positive reactions to GFAP and S100, as well as the negative reaction to ATRX, presented in the study, are in line with the data in the literature [ 2 ]. The reaction to vimentin is more associated with the mesenchymal component of gliosarcoma, but can also be identified in giant cell glioblastoma, its role having implications in proliferation and invasiveness [ 2 , 5 ]. Despite the clinical history similar to secondary glioblastoma (mutant IDH), the wildtype status of IDH supports de novo development as well as the aggression [ 11 ].…”

“…It develops at younger ages than glioblastoma, having a predominance over the male gender and a frequent localization in the temporal lobe [ 1 , 3 ]. It has a better prognosis than glioblastoma or gliosarcoma [ 5 ]. Microscopically, it is characterized by multiple bizarre multinucleated giant cells (sometimes over 20 nuclei) with atypical mitoses.…”