Giant Cell Variant of Glioblastoma Multiforme: Report of a Rare Variant in a Child

Abstract

Malignant glial tumors are rare in children. Giant cell variant is a rare subtype of glioblastoma, accounting for about 0.8% of brain tumors and 5% of glioblastoma tumors. Giant cell glioblastoma is a male predominant tumor in children and adults. Due to the low prevalence of this variant, available information is limited. An 11-year-old female child was referred with a chief complaint of a progressive persistent headache. MRI showed a well-defined cystic lesion with a solid mural component in the right parietal lobe with a compression effect on the ipsilateral ventricular system. Surgery was done. After the pathologist reported glioblastoma multiforme, a giant cell variant, the patient received 30 sessions of radiation therapy. The patient was readmitted 18 months later with a headache, and the pathologist confirmed the recurrence of the tumor. Based on radiology, the giant cell glioblastoma cannot be distinguished from the common subtype glioblastoma. The pathologists must be aware of this entity, and histologic differential diagnoses are warranted for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes.