Radiation-induced glioblastoma of the conus medullaris from radiation treatment of cervical cancer

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Dec 17;13(12):e238372. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238372.

Abstract

Radiation-induced spinal glioblastoma is an extremely rare disease with only four previously published reports in the literature. We report the fifth case, a 69-year-old woman who previously underwent treatment with brachytherapy for cervical cancer, and thereafter presented with neurologic deficits from a conus medullaris tumour. Biopsy and histopathology confirm glioblastoma, not otherwise specified. Treatment of spinal glioblastoma consists of surgery, either biopsy or excision and chemoradiation. However, results are still unsatisfactory and prognosis remains poor.

Keywords: gynecological cancer; neurooncology; radiotherapy; spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Brachytherapy / adverse effects*
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Glioblastoma / etiology
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Laminectomy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / surgery
  • Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / radiation effects
  • Spinal Cord / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / surgery
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / radiotherapy*