Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme – A case report and review of the literature

  • Clinical Study
  • Published:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Clinically detected extra-cranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are quite rare, with an incidence of <2% reported in the published literature. Among the various reported sites of systemic metastases from GBM, there are few cases of clinically symptomatic bone marrow metastasis. The case of a patient developing systemic dissemination of a GBM is described. A 60-year-old man with GBM who developed back pain, thrombocytopenia and subsequently neurological deficits was found to have extensive bony and bone marrow metastases. Previously reported cases of extra-cranial systemic spread of GBM and attempts made in the literature to explain the possible routes of extra-neural dissemination are reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A Jemal RC Tiwari T Murray A Ghafoor A Samuels E Ward EJ Feuer MJ Thun (2004) ArticleTitleAmerican Cancer Society Cancer statistics, 2004 CA Cancer J Clin 54 IssueID1 8–29 Occurrence Handle14974761

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. M Lacroix D Abi-Said DR Fourney ZL Gokaslan W Shi F DeMonte FF Lang IE McCutcheon SJ Hassenbusch E Holland K Hess C Michael D Miller R Sawaya (2001) ArticleTitleA multivariate analysis of 416 patients with glioblastoma multiforme: prognosis, extent of resection and survival J Neurosurg 95 IssueID2 190–198 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD38%2FlsFGitA%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. E Hsu D Keene E Ventureyra et al. (1998) ArticleTitleBone marrow metastasis in astrocytic gliomata J Neurooncol 37 285–293 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1005909127196 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7ot1alsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9524086

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. H Schuster K Jellinger A Gund H Regele (1976) ArticleTitleExtracranial metastases of anaplastic cerebral gliomas Acta Neurochir (Wien) 35 247–259 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01406121 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSiD283mtlA%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. A Cervio F Piedimonte J Salaberry SC Alcorte J Salvat B Diez G Sevlever (2001) ArticleTitleBone metastases from secondary glioblastoma multiforme: a case report J Neurooncol 52 141–148 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1010629618859 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MvmtlKrsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11508813

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. D Frappaz A Jouvet GS Pierre F Giammarile J Guyotat R Deruty E Jouanneau D Ranchere-Vince (2001) ArticleTitleLack of evidence of osteo-medullary metastases at diagnosis in patients with high grade gliomas J Neurooncol 52 249–252 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1010616417169 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mvns1ygsg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11519855

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. DR Smith JM Hardman KM Earle (1969) ArticleTitleMetastasizing neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system J Neurosurg 31 50–58 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CCaB3snpsVQ%3D Occurrence Handle4307543

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. B Pasquier D Pasquier A N’Golet MH Panh P Couderc (1980) ArticleTitleExtraneural metastases of astrocytomas and glioblastomas: clinicopathological study of two cases and review of literature Cancer 45 IssueID1 112–125 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi%2BD1cbntFI%3D Occurrence Handle6985826

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. PM LoRusso E Tapazoglou RJ Zarbo PA Cullis D Austin M Al-Sarraf (1988) ArticleTitleIntracranial astrocytoma with diffuse bone marrow metastasis: a case report and review of the literature J Neurooncol 6 53–59 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00163541 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieB1cnhvFc%3D Occurrence Handle3294352

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. S Alatakis GM Malham C Thien (2001) ArticleTitleSpinal leptomeningeal metastasis from cerebral glioblastoma multiforme presenting with radicular pain: case report and literature review Surg Neurol 56 33–37 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0090-3019(01)00459-1 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mvps1emtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11546569

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. N Arita M Taneda T Hayakawa (1994) ArticleTitleLeptomeningeal dissemination of malignant gliomas. Incidence, diagnosis and outcome Acta Neurochir (Wien) 126 84–92 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01476415 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuA3MjlvVM%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. JC Balhuizen GT Bots A Schaberg FT Bosman (1978) ArticleTitleValue of cerebrospinal fluid cytology for the diagnosis of malignancies in the central nervous system J Neurosurg 48 747–753 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSeC2M3ovVI%3D Occurrence Handle641554

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. OM Salazar P Rubin (1976) ArticleTitleThe spread of glioblastoma multiforme as a determining factor in the radiation treated volume Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1 627–637 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSiD38fkvV0%3D Occurrence Handle185169

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. CH Lam GR Cosgrove FW Drislane A Sotrel (1991) ArticleTitleSpinal leptomeningeal metastasis from cerebral glioblastoma. Appearance on magnetic resonance imaging Surg Neurol 35 377–380 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0090-3019(91)90049-F Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6B38fgslU%3D Occurrence Handle1851338

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. F Mihara M Ikeda MI Rothman Y Numaguchi D Kristt (1994) ArticleTitleVertebral body metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme with epidural mass formation. Contrast-enhanced MRI study Clin Imaging 18 386–389 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0899-7071(94)90011-6 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD1MvgvVc%3D Occurrence Handle8000959

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. HG Terheggen W Muller (1977) ArticleTitleExtracerebrospinal metastases in glioblastoma.Case report and review of the literature Eur J Pediatr 124 155–164 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00477550 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSiD1M7hsVA%3D Occurrence Handle188658

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. M Mousavi (1980) ArticleTitlemetastasis from glioblastoma multiforme J Med Soc N J 77 904–905 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi6C2crjtVY%3D Occurrence Handle6259365

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. WK Yung SJ Tepper DF Young (1983) ArticleTitlebone marrow metastasis by glioblastoma: premortem diagnosis by peroxidase– antiperoxidase staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein Ann Neurol 14 581–585 Occurrence Handle10.1002/ana.410140514 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiuD2sfjslU%3D Occurrence Handle6316836

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. RP Newman EJ Schaefer CB Thomas EH Oldfield (1984) ArticleTitleAbetalipoproteinemia and metastatic spinal cord glioblastoma Arch Neurol 41 554–556 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiuB3c3kt1c%3D Occurrence Handle6326713

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. B Pasquier E Keddari D Pasquier et al. (1986) ArticleTitleSpontaneous bone marrow micrometastasis of a cerebral glioma.Immunohistochemical diagnosis in a biopsy sample and review of the literature. Ann Pathol 6 130–136 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimB28bisFY%3D Occurrence Handle3524591

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. JH Friedman HM Liu E Spremulli P Calabresi (1987) ArticleTitleDistant metastases from a malignant glioma: unusual complications associated with treatment of a glioblastoma: distant metastases and focal white matter degeneration J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 50 237–238 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiiC1MjjvVA%3D Occurrence Handle3033156

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. M Haddon JD Slavin RP Spencer (1989) ArticleTitleMultiple bone metastases in a patient with glioblastoma multiforme Clin Nucl Med 14 13–14 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaB3s%2FptVE%3D Occurrence Handle2540929

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. AS Gamis J Egelhoff G Roloson J Young GM Woods R Newman AI Freeman (1990) ArticleTitleDiffuse bony metastases at presentation in a child with glioblastoma multiforme.A case report Cancer 66 180–184 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BB1czotFA%3D Occurrence Handle2162242

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. BK Kleinschmidt-Demasters (1996) ArticleTitleDiffuse bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme: the role of dural invasion Hum Pathol 27 197–201 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0046-8177(96)90376-7 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymC1M%2FpsVU%3D Occurrence Handle8617464

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. AK Bindal M Hammoud WM Shi SZ Wu R Sawaya JS Rao (1994) ArticleTitlePrognostic significance of proteolytic enzymes in human brain tumors J Neurooncol 22 101–110 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01052886 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqB28vhvFc%3D Occurrence Handle7538161

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. S Frank J Muller C Bonk G Haroske HK Schackert G Schackert (1998) ArticleTitleTransmission of glioblastoma multiforme through liver transplantation Lancet 352 31 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0140-6736(98)24027-X Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M%2FhsFensA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9800744

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. F Val-Bernal JC Ruiz JG Cotorruelo M Arias (1993) ArticleTitleGlioblastoma multiforme of donor origin after renal transplantation: report of a case Hum Pathol 24 1256–1259 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0046-8177(93)90224-5 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD28zosVE%3D Occurrence Handle8244327

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. O Detry P Honore MF Hans MH Delbouille N Jacquet M Meurisse (2000) ArticleTitleOrgan donors with primary central nervous system tumor Transplantation 70 244–248 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3czovFOmuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10919616

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Megele R, Gruss P, Buhrmann K: Is extracranial metastatic malignant glioma iatrogenic Neurochirurgia (Stuttg) 32(5): 157–159, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  30. JJ Kepes CM Striebinger CE Brackett P Kishore (1976) ArticleTitleGliomas (astrocytomas) of the brain-stem with spinal intra- and extradural metastases: report of three cases J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 39 66–76 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSmC2crktFY%3D Occurrence Handle1255215

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. BJ Brew R Garrick (1987) ArticleTitleGliomas presenting outside the central nervous system Clin Exp Neurol 23 111–117 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieD38jptlc%3D Occurrence Handle2822301

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. AP Anzil (1970) ArticleTitleGlioblastoma multiforme with extracranial metastases in the absence of previous craniotomy.Case report. J Neurosurg 33 88–94 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CS%2BB38blsVI%3D Occurrence Handle4316740

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. WL Brander DR Turner (1975) ArticleTitleExtracranial metastases from a glioma in the absence of surgical intervention J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat 38 1133–1135 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSmD1MnmvVc%3D Occurrence Handle1206423

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. BH Choi JT Holt JV McDonald (1981) ArticleTitleOccult malignant astrocytoma of pons with extracranial metastasis to bone prior to craniotomy Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 54 269–273 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00696999 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi6B2sfkt1c%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. CL Dolman (1974) ArticleTitleLymph node metastasis as first manifestation of glioblastoma.Case report. J Neurosurg 41 607–609 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSqD38rjvV0%3D Occurrence Handle4371027

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. AS Henriquez DM Robertson DA Rosen (1974) ArticleTitleTolerance of the cornea and eyelid to polyglycolic acid and rat-tail tendon sutures.An experimental study. Can J Ophthalmol 9 89–103 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2cXkt1Wjtrg%3D Occurrence Handle4594996

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. S Hulbanni PA Goodman (1976) ArticleTitleGlioblastoma multiforme with extraneural metastases in the absence of previous surgery Cancer 37 1577–1583 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSmC283ptFM%3D Occurrence Handle177171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. A Ogata K Tashiro T Abumiya H Abe Y Matsuno K Nakamura T Kashiwaba (1987) ArticleTitleGlioblastoma multiforme with extracranial metastases without previous surgery: demonstration of extracranial metastases by peroxidase antiperoxidase staining and clinicopathological study No To Shinkei 39 679–685 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieD2M%2FitV0%3D Occurrence Handle2823854

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. HB Newton MK Rosenblum RW Walker (1992) ArticleTitleExtraneural metastases of infratentorial glioblastoma multiforme to the peritoneal cavity Cancer 69 2149–2153 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By2C1czgvVE%3D Occurrence Handle1311985

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. MP Steinmetz GH Barnett BS Kim MA Chidel JH Suh (2001) ArticleTitleMetastatic seeding of the stereotactic biopsy tract in glioblastoma multiforme: case report and review of the literature J Neurooncol 55 167–171 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1013873431159 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387isFGitA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11859971

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. K Komatsu H Hiratsuka S Takahashi A Kamisasa Y Inaba (1972) ArticleTitleWidespread extracranial metastases of glioblastoma multiforme.Report of case and clinicopathological review of cases in literature. Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ 19 29–49 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CS2B3cfpt1U%3D Occurrence Handle4338365

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. HJ Hoffman PK Duffner (1985) ArticleTitleExtraneural metastases of central nervous system tumors Cancer 56 1778–1782 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqB1c3gsFY%3D Occurrence Handle4027909

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. EC Alvord SuffixJr. (1976) ArticleTitleWhy do gliomas not metastasize Arch Neurol 33 73–75 Occurrence Handle1252152

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. F Hubner V Braun HP Richter (2001) ArticleTitleCase reports of symptomatic metastases in four patients with primary intracranial gliomas Acta Neurochir (Wien) 143 25–29 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s007010170134 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3kvFyguw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. P Beauchesne C Soler JF Mosnier (2000) ArticleTitleDiffuse vertebral body metastasis from a glioblastoma multiforme: a technetium-99m Sestamibi single-photon emission computerized tomography study J Neurosurg 93 887–890 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3crgslynsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11059674

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. J Gottschalk H Martin B Kretschmer H Barz J Janda J Szymas (1985) ArticleTitleSignificance of immunohistochemistry in neuro-oncology. I. Demonstration of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in extracranial metastases from primary brain tumors Zentralbl Allg Pathol 130 391–396 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimC2Mvkt1M%3D Occurrence Handle3913231

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. J Gottschalk J Szymas (1987) ArticleTitleSignificance of immunohistochemistry for neuro-oncology. VI. Occurrence, localization and distribution of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in 820 tumors Zentralbl Allg Pathol 133 319–330 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieC3c3gtVc%3D Occurrence Handle3425011

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. ME Cohen PK Duffner (1994) Extraneural Metastasis in Childhood Brain Tumors Brain Tumor in Children: Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment. Raven Press Ltd New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology– Oncology Unit, St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, USA

    Vandana Rajagopalan & Michael L. Grossbard

  2. Division of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA

    Francois G. El. Kamar

  3. Department of Pathology, St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, USA

    Rose Thayaparan

  4. Hematology– Oncology Unit, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, USA

    Michael L. Grossbard

  5. St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1000 10th Avenue Suite 11G, New York, NY, 10019, USA

    Michael L. Grossbard

Authors
  1. Vandana Rajagopalan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francois G. El. Kamar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rose Thayaparan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Michael L. Grossbard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael L. Grossbard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rajagopalan, V., Kamar, F.G.E., Thayaparan, R. et al. Bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme – A case report and review of the literature. J Neurooncol 72, 157–161 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-004-3346-y

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-004-3346-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation