Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) often infiltrates surrounding tissues, an action which is known as a clinical characteristic of this deadly disease. In contrast, extracranial metastases of GBM rarely occur. Consequently, the underlying mechanisms and prognosis of GBM metastasis remain unclear. In this regard, we here present a case of GBM with pleural metastases and discuss the relevant literature. The patient was a 62-year-old male who was originally diagnosed with GBM in the right temporal lobe and underwent craniotomy for tumor removal. Gross total resection was successfully performed. The patient received postoperative chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide, followed by maintenance chemotherapy with temozolomide alone. He showed a good postoperative course until a small recurrence occurred in the resection cavity at 17 months after the surgery. At 21 months, the patient developed thoracodorsal pain due to a large volume of pleural effusion with pleural masses. An intrathoracic biopsy revealed that the pleural lesions were metastases of the GBM. Simultaneously, intracranial imaging studies indicated tumor spread into the right cavernous sinus. These findings suggest that the GBM may have infiltrated into the cavernous sinus via the dura surrounding the cavernous sinus adjacent to the resection cavity and metastasized hematogenously to the pleural cavity.
