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Bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme – A case report and review of the literature

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Summary

Clinically detected extra-cranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are quite rare, with an incidence of <2% reported in the published literature. Among the various reported sites of systemic metastases from GBM, there are few cases of clinically symptomatic bone marrow metastasis. The case of a patient developing systemic dissemination of a GBM is described. A 60-year-old man with GBM who developed back pain, thrombocytopenia and subsequently neurological deficits was found to have extensive bony and bone marrow metastases. Previously reported cases of extra-cranial systemic spread of GBM and attempts made in the literature to explain the possible routes of extra-neural dissemination are reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hematology– Oncology Unit, St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, USA

    Vandana Rajagopalan & Michael L. Grossbard

  2. Division of Neuro-Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA

    Francois G. El. Kamar

  3. Department of Pathology, St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, USA

    Rose Thayaparan

  4. Hematology– Oncology Unit, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, USA

    Michael L. Grossbard

  5. St. Luke’s– Roosevelt Hospital Center, 1000 10th Avenue Suite 11G, New York, NY, 10019, USA

    Michael L. Grossbard

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  1. Vandana Rajagopalan
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  2. Francois G. El. Kamar
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  3. Rose Thayaparan
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  4. Michael L. Grossbard
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Correspondence to Michael L. Grossbard.

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Rajagopalan, V., Kamar, F.G.E., Thayaparan, R. et al. Bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme – A case report and review of the literature. J Neurooncol 72, 157–161 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-004-3346-y

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