Cerebellar glioblastoma in an NF1 patient. Is it surgical debulking really necessary?

Br J Neurosurg. 2020 Dec;34(6):669-671. doi: 10.1080/02688697.2019.1690127. Epub 2019 Nov 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant tumour syndrome with an increased risk of developing central nervous system neoplasms, mostly benign low-grade gliomas involving the optic pathway and the brainstem. High-grade astrocytomas or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are rare. Cerebellar GBMs are rarer still, only seven cases NF1 patients have been reported Case description: We report a case of a cerebellar GBM in a 25-year-old male with NF1 who survived 18 months from the initial diagnosis without surgical debulking but only chemo and radiotherapy.Conclusion: A literature review found that the best outcomes were achieved in NF1 patients who didn't undergo gross surgical resection. Possible reasons and future directions are discussed.

Keywords: Cerebellar glioblastoma; MGMT methylation; NF1; Temozolomide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms*
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
  • Glioblastoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Glioblastoma* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurofibromatosis 1* / complications
  • Neurofibromatosis 1* / surgery