Les gliomes multiples : étude clinique et hypothèses physiopathologiques

Abstract

Although a rare entity, multiple gliomas must be recognized and distinguished from other causes of multiple brain lesions.Clinical and radiological features of 33 multiple gliomas were reviewed, including 20 synchronous cases and 13 metachronous cases.In 17 patients, radiological features were highly suggestive of spread from a primary site (multifocal gliomas). No apparent dissemination route was identified in the other cases which were presumed to be multicentric gliomas. For nine patients (27 percent), a second neoplasia or cancer was found in first degree relatives suggesting a genetic predisposition. Overall median survival was 79 weeks (64 weeks for glioblastomas). The age at onset was the main prognostic factor.Multiple gliomas represent a heterogeneous entity, probably corresponding to different mechanisms. In our group, survival was comparable to unique glioma.