Coincidence of central neurocytoma and multiple glioblastomas: a rare case report

Abstract

Coincidence of parenchymal primary brain tumors of different histogenesis is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, the present case of simultaneous appearance of a central neurocytoma and multiple glioblastomas is the first to be reported. Multiple intraaxial brain neoplasms were disclosed in a 39-year-old man and were surgically resected. Histological diagnosis of the tumor located in the right lateral ventricle was central neurocytoma whereas two tumors of the left temporal lobe were glioblastomas. The latter were located in close proximity to the subarachnoid space, had atypical radiological appearance, and were slightly positive for synaptophysin and neurofilament protein. It can be speculated that both malignant neoplasms were, in fact, dedifferentiated central neurocytoma, which developed from distant tumor deposits. This case seems to be in agreement with the hypothesis that central neurocytoma arises from the progenitor cells with potential for both neuronal and glial differentiation. Better understanding of histogenesis of this tumor is definitely needed.