Extracranial Metastases of a Cerebral Glioblastoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The glioblastoma, a malignant human brain tumor, is known for its devastating intracranial progress and its dismal prognosis. Whereas treatment and research are most prominently focused on the primary tumor lesion, in recent years evidence has accumulated that points to the rare occurrence of extracranial glioblastoma metastases. We here present a case of a female patient with a known glioblastoma who was detected to harbor multiple metastases in the bones, lung, pleura, liver, mesentery, and the subcutaneous soft tissue. Pathogenetically, these metastatic lesions developed most probably after a local progression of the left temporal glioblastoma through the skull base, thus getting access to the systemic lymphatics. Similar cases of extensive glioblastoma metastization, their putative underlying mechanisms, and implications for clinical care are discussed.

Iron and copper complexes with antioxidant activity as inhibitors of the metastatic potential of glioma cells

“…1 In addition, while metastases outside of the central nervous system are uncommon, when present, they oen exhibit increased resistance to treatment, similarly to what is observed for relapsed tumors, leading to a very poor prognosis for these patients. [1][2][3] As such, it is necessary to develop more efficient therapeutic tools that can improve the patients' outcome.…”

Genetic and histologic spatiotemporal evolution of recurrent, multifocal, multicentric and metastatic glioblastoma

“…Occasionally, secondary hyperproliferative and/or necrotic foci showing contrast enhancement develop, resulting in multifocal or multicentric glioblastoma, depending on the presence or absence of the T2-FLAIR hyperintensity connecting the contrast-enhancing foci, respectively. Very rarely, glioblastoma may become metastatic to extra-neural sites, with approximately 300 cases reported in the literature [1,25,31]. Even if this number accounts for approximately 1% of glioblastoma cases, the pathogenesis and management of metastatic glioblastoma are largely unknown and there is no comprehensive genomic characterization of these cases.…”

CAR T cells for brain tumors: Lessons learned and road ahead

“…One key question for the advancement of CAR T cell therapy for brain tumors is the choice of delivery route and whether systemic or locoregional delivery is more advantageous, particularly because brain tumors are unique in that they are regionally localized and primary brain tumors such as GBM rarely metastasize outside the CNS. 202 Systemic delivery, whereby CAR T cells are given intravenously (IV), is the most common delivery approach for hematological and solid cancers. For IV delivery, cryopreserved cells can be thawed at bedside and infused directly without the need for reformulation or a delivery device.…”