A radiotherapy refractory brain lesion among breast cancer metastases diagnosed postoperatively as glioblastoma multiforme: A case report

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The association between breast cancer and glioblastoma multiforme has not been investigated thoroughly. This case presents a case of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) which was found concurrently with breast cancer metastases. Case SummaryThe patient is a 53 years old right-handed female with a history of breast cancer, metastatic to bone and liver, who had undergone stereotactic ablative radiotherapy to manage metastases to T10 vertebra, right acetabulum and left hip bone 2 years earlier. Six months prior to the current presentation, the patient was diagnosed with four apparent metastatic lesions to the brain (left cerebellum, right frontal, left parieto-occipital, and left temporal). The patient received Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT). A follow-up MRI 4 months later revealed that all three smaller lesions responded well to SRT except for a mild increase in the size of the larger left temporal lesion with surrounding edema. The patient underwent a craniotomy for resection of the temporal lesion. Pathology revealed that the lesion was glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) rather than being another brain metastatic tumor. ConclusionAlthoughmost brain tumors are metastases, primary brain tumors should be considered a possibility even in the presence of another source of metastases; especially if there is a lesion refractory to treatment.