Pediatric primary anaplastic ganglioglioma: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Gangliogliomas with anaplastic features are classified as grade III tumors by the World Health Organization. The clinical course and optimal treatment of anaplastic gangliogliomas have not been well understood to date. We report a case of a primary pure anaplastic ganglioglioma in a 14-year-old male treated with surgery and radiotherapy, who is disease-free 6 years after the diagnosis. A review of primary pure anaplastic gangliogliomas in children (between 3 and 21 years of age) is presented. Gross total removal and focal radiotherapy with a total dose of 54 Gy are recommended. The addition of chemotherapy should be evaluated. Prospective studies are needed to identify an appropriate chemotherapy schedule and to define biological factors in order to select those patients with a poor prognosis, who are to be treated with a more aggressive therapy.