Contiguous glioblastoma multiforme and fibrosarcoma with extracranial metastasis

Abstract

In our review of 23 patients with metastasizing glioblastoma multiforme, 7 cases were found to have a combination of both glioblastoma multiforme and fibrosarcoma at the primary site. The metastatic foci, however, had a comparable admixture of neoplastic elements in only 5 patients and were composed solely of the sarcomatous component in the other 2. Such neoplastic combinations were not found among the other metastasizing neuroectodermal tumors in our files. Only 2 other well‐documented case reports have been located that show similar tumors with extracranial metastasis. The pathogenesis of the sarcomatous changes is discussed briefly. Whether the gliomatous or sarcomatous components of these unique neoplasms are induced by one or die other remains conjectural. This study reaffirms that glioblastoma multiforme is the most common neuroectodermal tumor to occur in combination with a sarcoma. The greater incidence of extracranial metastasis among these combination neoplasms underscores their significance and demonstrates not only a difference in their biologic behavior but possibly their pathogenesis. Copyright © 1969 American Cancer Society