Giant cell glioblastoma multiforme: report of a case with prolonged survival and transformation to gliosarcoma

Abstract

Introduction: Giant cell glioblastomas (GCGs) and gliosarcomas are rare histological variants of glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs). The mean age of occurrence in GCG is 42 years, but occasional cases have been documented in children under 10 years of age. Clinically, they are associated with a better prognosis than conventional GBMs, with few reports documenting prolonged survival up to 17 years after diagnosis. In contrast, gliosarcomas have age distribution and survival characteristics similar to conventional GBMs. They either arise de novo (primary) or secondary to irradiation to GBM. Case report: We report a rare case of childhood GCG in an 8-year-old boy surviving for more than 10 years since initial diagnosis. He has had two recurrences at the ages of 16 and 17 years, respectively, with histopathology at second recurrence showing evidence of gliosarcoma. Discussion: No such case of gliosarcoma following treatment for GCG has been reported in the literature. Hence, the origin of the gliosarcoma whether radiation induced or only a phenotypic change in the GBM remains conjectural.