Letter to the Editor

Long-Term Survival After Glioblastoma Multiforme

Authors: Mohammad Sami Walid, MD, PhD, Hugh F. Smisson, III MD, FACS, Joe Sam Robinson, Jr., MD, FACS

Abstract

To the Editor:


Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive of primary brain tumors with a median survival of approximately 12 months; fewer than 25% of patients survive up to 2 years and fewer than 10% up to 5 years.1 We report a very rare case of a patient who survived for 12 years following diagnosis of GBM. The patient, a 65-year-old African-American woman, was brought to the emergency room in October 2007 because “she was not acting right.” Her speech was very low and incomprehensible. She looked weak, somnolent, and slightly more lethargic than her usual self. Past medical history was remarkable for GBM 12 years previously. In April 1995, a 3 cm ring-enhancing lesion was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in her right temporal lobe. Pathology showed GBM with sarcomatoid features. The patient was treated with surgery, radiation (6000 rads) and chemotherapy with BCNU (Carmustine). She also had intra-arterial chemotherapy given at the tumor site using femoral catheterization. She was then lost to followup until recently.

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References

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