Congenital glioblastoma multiforme: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

The clinical histories. histologic features, and immunohistochemical staini ng patterns for glial fibrillary acidic protein, vimentin, p53, and epiderm al growth factor receptor (EGFR) of three cases of congenital glioblastoma multiforme are given and previous case reports are reviewed. Of the three c ases reported in this series, two have had long-term survivals of greater t han 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 years after surgery and surgery followed by chemotherap y, respectively. Both of these cases also demonstrated p53 protein accumula tion, a finding in pediatric glioblastoma multiforme associated with poor p rognosis. The third case occurred in an infant who died at birth and demons trated a well-circumscribed tumor that did not invade adjacent brain parenc hyma. Considering these three cases, the biological behavior in congenital glioblastoma multiforme may not be unfavorable as portrayed in the literatu re or as seen in its adult counterpart. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.