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Childhood’s gliosarcomas: pathological and therapeutical considerations on three cases and critical review of the literature

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Abstract

Background

Gliosarcoma is a rare cerebral tumor that has only recently been classified as a separate clinico-pathological entity, even though it remains closely related to glioblastoma in terms of both its clinical and therapeutic characteristics. The onset of this tumor during childhood is particularly unusual.

Discussion

The authors describe three cases of gliosarcoma in three patients of 13,15, and 16 years old, in an attempt to identify any distinctive aspects of the “juvenile” variety. On the basis of their personal experience and in the light of the available literature, the authors review the salient features of this pathological condition in young patients to identify any distinctive aspects as well as to define the significance of the extent of the sarcomatous component and of a “meningioma-like” appearance of the lesion, in terms of survival.

Conclusion

In particular, they emphasize how modern diagnostic–therapeutic protocols make it possible to achieve a massive cytoreduction of the lesion in absolute safety in many cases, while avoiding further deficits in others, thus ensuring not only significant survival times but also a good quality of life.

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Author notes

  1. Maurizio Salvati

    Present address: , Via Cardinal Agliardi 15, 00165, Rome, Italy

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery-IRCCS INM Neuromed, Pozzilli (Is), Italy

    Maurizio Salvati, Alessandro Frati & Felice Giangaspero

  2. Department of Neurological Sciences, Neurosurgery, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Jacopo Lenzi, Christian Brogna, Manolo Piccirilli & Antonino Raco

Authors
  1. Maurizio Salvati
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  2. Jacopo Lenzi
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  3. Christian Brogna
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  4. Alessandro Frati
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  7. Antonino Raco
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Correspondence to Maurizio Salvati.

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Salvati, M., Lenzi, J., Brogna, C. et al. Childhood’s gliosarcomas: pathological and therapeutical considerations on three cases and critical review of the literature. Childs Nerv Syst 22, 1301–1306 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000381-006-0057-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000381-006-0057-z

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