Intramedullary Glioblastoma as One of Multiple Radiation-Induced Neoplasms
Kacper Koczyk1,2, Arkadiusz Nowak1, Marcin M Machnicki3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Central Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
Case Reports in Oncology
|June 9, 2025
Summary
This case report details a rare intramedullary glioblastoma in a patient with a history of radiation. Molecular analysis confirmed glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (CNS WHO G4), highlighting the challenges in diagnosing spinal cord tumors.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Spinal cord tumors
- Radiation-induced neoplasms
Background:
- Intramedullary glioblastoma is a rare spinal tumor.
- Spinal cord gliomas can arise secondary to radiation therapy.
- Multiple neoplasms in a patient's history warrant thorough investigation.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old female presented with progressive spastic tetraparesis.
- Cervical MRI revealed an intramedullary lesion and a T1 vertebral body lesion.
- 18F-FDG-PET/CT showed increased uptake in the cervical spinal cord and T1 vertebral body.
Findings:
- Histomolecular analysis confirmed intramedullary glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (CNS WHO G4).
- The T1 vertebral body lesion was identified as breast cancer metastasis.
- The patient experienced neurological decline post-surgery and died within 6 months.
Implications:
- This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing radiation-induced spinal cord tumors.
- Molecular profiling is crucial for accurate tumor classification.
- Understanding tumor origins aids in managing patients with complex oncological histories.
Related Concept Videos
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...


