Relapse of a group 4 medulloblastoma after 18 years as proven by histology and DNA methylation profiling

Childs Nerv Syst. 2019 Jun;35(6):1029-1033. doi: 10.1007/s00381-019-04086-3. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

Background: Recent studies on medulloblastomas (MB) suggest that a large fraction of tumors appearing as late recurrence turn out to be secondary malignancies, e.g., malignant gliomas, after thorough molecular investigation.

Results: Here, we report of a patient with a group 4 MB that developed a distant recurrence after more than 18 years. The recurrent tumor was confirmed by histology and genome-wide DNA methylation profiling.

Conclusion: Our case not only illustrates the potential of very late recurrences after seemingly cured group 4 MB, but also illustrates that detailed molecular analyses are indispensable in patients with a history of a previous malignancy.

Keywords: Genome-wide DNA methylation; Group 4; Late recurrences; Medulloblastoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / genetics
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology*
  • DNA Methylation
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*