Intraventricular Glioblastomas

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Neurosurgery
• Pathology

Background:

• Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor.
• Primary intraventricular glioblastomas are exceptionally rare, with only 21 cases previously reported.
• This study investigates a small cohort of intraventricular glioblastoma cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize cases of intraventricular glioblastoma.
• To analyze clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes for these rare tumors.
• To assess the role of surgical resection and molecular markers in patient survival.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of intracranial glioblastomas treated over 10 years.
• Inclusion criteria: histologically proven intraventricular glioblastoma.
• Data collection included patient demographics, tumor location, surgical approach, adjuvant therapy, and survival.

Main Results:

• Eight patients with intraventricular glioblastoma were identified (age 6-74 years, mean 29.6).
• Hydrocephalus was the primary clinical manifestation; tumors were located in the lateral or third ventricles.
• Median survival was 32.1 months; 3 patients survived, all with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated tumors.

Conclusions:

• Intraventricular glioblastoma is a rare entity that can occur in young patients.
• It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraventricular lesions.
• Radical surgical resection, especially for IDH-mutated tumors, may improve survival, necessitating long-term follow-up due to high recurrence rates.