Favorable outcome of giant cell glioblastoma in a child. Report of an 11-year survival period

Abstract

Giant cell glioblastomas are defined as glioblastomas with a marked predominance of bizarre, multinucleated giant cells. They represent about 5% of all glioblastomas and can occur at any site of the central nervous system, but the temporal and frontal lobes are the sites of predilection. Overall, giant cell glioblastomas show a prolonged survival period compared with common glioblastoma multiforme, and survival periods of 7 and 9 years have been reported in adults. Here we report on a child aged 11 years at diagnosis, who has so far survived for 11 years since operation and adjunctive radio- and chemotherapy.