SPINAL METASTASES OF MALIGNANT GLIOMAS

Purpose: Extracranial metastases of malignant gliomas are rare. We rep ort 2 cases with spinal metastases in patients suffering from glioma. Patients and Method: Two patients (33 and 57 years old) developed spin al canal metastases of a glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astroc ytoma Grade III respectively 25 and 9 months after surgical resection and radiotherapy, Both metastases were confirmed pathohistologically. Results: Intraspinal metastases were irradiated with a total dose of 1 2.6 Gy and 50 Gy. Treatment withdrawal uas necessary in one patient du e to reduced clinical condition. Regression of neurological symptoms w as observed ia the second patient. Conclusions: Spinal spread of malig nant glioma should be considered during care and follow-up in glioma p atients with spinal symptoms.