Case of unclassified, radiosensitive, malignant neuroepithelial tumor in the temporal lobe of a child

Brain Tumor Pathol. 2010 Apr;27(1):45-50. doi: 10.1007/s10014-009-0260-1. Epub 2010 Apr 28.

Abstract

A case of unclassified, pediatric cerebral neuroepithelial tumor in a 10-year-old girl that showed remarkable radiosensitivity is reported. MRI revealed a brain tumor of mixed intensity with heterogeneous enhancement in the medial temporal lobe, extending to the basal ganglia. The tumor was partially removed. On pathology, the main part of the tumor showed immature features: the tumor cells had a chromatin-rich large nucleus and less cytoplasm, and mitoses and fragmentation of the nuclei were frequent. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin and positive for Olig2. The maximum MIB-1 index was 70%. The part invading into the surrounding brain showed similarities in form to a highly anaplastic astrocytoma. The infiltrating tumor cells were positive for GFAP and less positive for Olig2. After 40 Gy radiation, the residual tumor was markedly reduced. Neuroepithelial tumors rarely show such high radiosensitivity, and the reason for the radiosensitivity in the present case may have been the immaturity of the tumor cells.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Astrocytoma
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / analysis
  • Neoplasm, Residual
  • Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / therapy*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Radiation Tolerance*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Synaptophysin / analysis
  • Temporal Lobe*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • OLIG2 protein, human
  • Oligodendrocyte Transcription Factor 2
  • Synaptophysin