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Anaplastic astroblastoma of childhood: aggressive behavior

  • Case Report
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Abstract

Objective

Astroblastoma is an unusual brain tumor in childhood. Tumor usually arises from cerebral hemispheres. This large tumor is well-demarcated, lobulated, solid or cystic, and therefore, may resemble glioblastoma. Histopathologically, there are two types of astroblastoma: well-differentiated (low-grade) or anaplastic (high-grade). In low-grade astroblastoma, treatment of choice is complete excision. This type of tumor usually does not recur. However, anaplastic tumors can recur despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and may be problematic for clinician.

Case Report

A 7-year-old female patient presented with an acute onset of vomiting and seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging study revealed a large mass in the left parieto-occipital region. She underwent total excision of the tumor. Histopathologically, the tumor was an anaplastic astroblastoma. Her adjuvant treatment was planned to consist of radiation therapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, the tumor recurred early in the course, and she died 18 months after diagnosis.

Conclusion

High-grade astroblastomas behave like glioblastoma, as emphasized in this case report. Local control of this type of tumor seems difficult despite surgery, radiation therapy, and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Ege University School of Medicine, 35100, Izmir, Turkey

    M. Kantar & N. Cetingül

  2. Department of Pathology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey

    Y. Ertan & T. Akalin

  3. Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey

    T. Turhan & Y. Ersahin

  4. Department of Radiology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey

    O. Kitis

  5. Department of Radiation Oncology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey

    Y. Anacak

Authors
  1. M. Kantar
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  2. Y. Ertan
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  3. T. Turhan
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  4. O. Kitis
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  5. Y. Anacak
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  6. T. Akalin
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  7. Y. Ersahin
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  8. N. Cetingül
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Correspondence to M. Kantar.

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Kantar, M., Ertan, Y., Turhan, T. et al. Anaplastic astroblastoma of childhood: aggressive behavior. Childs Nerv Syst 25, 1125–1129 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0885-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-009-0885-8

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