Case of metastatic glioblastoma with primitive neuronal component to the lung

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) with primitive neuronal component (GBM-PNC) is a rare GBM subtype recently categorized by the World Health Organization in the revised classification system of 2016. Extracranial metastases originating from GBM-PNC are rare and metastasis to solid organs has never been reported. Herein, we present the first case of metastasis of GBM-PNC to the lung. A 49-year-old man presenting with headache was diagnosed with multiple tumors adhering to the dura matter in the right temporal lobe. Despite surgery and chemoradiotherapy, 2 months after the initial therapy, the patient presented with CSF dissemination and lung metastases. The patient succumbed to the disease 12 months after the first surgery. We discuss the possibility that GBM-PNC may constitute a subtype of glioma with particularly poor prognosis, tending to dissemination and metastasis. Our results suggest that a complementary regular inspection of the whole body via CT may be recommended for the follow-up of patients with GBM- PNC.