Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor arising in a malignant glioma

Abstract

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), a highly malignant brain tumor in young children, usually arises de novo and has only rarely been described as a secondary malignancy. Here, we present a case of a child with glioblastoma, who was treated postoperatively by a combination of temozolomide, irradiation, and bevacizumab. AT/RT was diagnosed as a secondary tumor, 2.5 years following primary diagnosis. The child died 13 months after the diagnosis of AT/RT. This case demonstrates that malignant gliomas may give rise to AT/RT. It also emphasizes the diagnostic value of a repeated tumor biopsy in the recurrence setting.