Clinical History

A 56-year-old male presented with a generalized seizure. He remained unconscious after this seizure and later died. A collateral history revealed 6 months of progressive confusion, short-term memory loss, and personality change.

Pathology

Coronal sections of the brain post-mortem show a 4cm necrotic and hemorrhagic tumor. Tumor invasion from the inferior frontal lobe into the lateral ventricle is apparent. Meningeal spread is evident on examination of the posterior aspect of the specimen.

Further Information

Gliomas are the second most common cancer of the central nervous system after meningiomas. The term “glioma” refers to tumors that are histologically similar to normal glial cells i.e. astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. They arise from a progenitor cell that differentiates down one of the cell lines. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM; also called glioblastoma) develops from the astrocyte lineage. GBMs can arise in the brain “de novo” or evolve from lower-grade astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas. GBM is often referred to as a grade IV astrocytoma. They are differentiated histologically from anaplastic astrocytomas by necrotizing tissue surrounded by anaplastic cells as well as by the presence of hyperplastic blood vessels.

GBMs are more common in males. It is most commonly diagnosed in the 6th decade of life. Genetic risk factors include neurofibromatosis type 1 and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Previous brain radiotherapy is also associated with an increased risk of GBM. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the GBM, but may include any of the following:

• Persistent headaches

• Double or blurred vision

• Vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Changes in mood and personality

• Changes in ability to think and learn

• New onset of seizures

• Speech difficulty of gradual onset

Diagnostic tools include computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Around 50% of these tumors occupy more than one cerebral hemisphere. GBMs commonly extend into the ventricular walls or meninges, and thus into the central spinal fluid (CSF). Spinal cord spread is uncommon.

Metastasis beyond the central nervous system is rare. Tumor growth causes cerebral edema leading to increased intra-cranial pressure. These are biologically aggressive tumors, and if left untreated survival is typically 3 months. The mainstay of treatment for GBMs is surgery, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.