Glioblastoma Multiforme following Cranial Irradiation and Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Abstract

The most common secondary neoplasms which occur following cranial radiation therapy are sarcoma and meningioma. The occurrence of glioblastoma multiforme following radiation and chemotherapy in acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) is rare. We report 3 cases of glioblastoma multiforme in children developing 11–72 months following completion of chemotherapy/radiotherapy for ALL. The exact cause for the development of glioblastoma multiforme following therapy for ALL is not clear. A genetic predisposition may be essential for the occurrence of such a highly malignant primary brain tumour in leukaemia patients, irrespective of radiation and/or chemotherapy. The pathogenesis and surgical management are discussed, and the literature on the subject is reviewed.

Glioblastoma in long‐term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Report of two cases

“…2 The cumulative risk of overall second neoplasms, including radiation-induced tumors, in patients with ALL has been reported to be 2.5-3.3% at 15 years from diagnosis. 3,4 The most common radiation-induced central nervous system (CNS) tumors are sarcoma and meningioma; and malignant glioma, such as glioblastoma (GBM), was considered to be more infrequent, 5 but there have been a number of recent consistent reports on GBM after cranial radiotherapy for various types of disease. 6 Here, we describe two cases of GBM in young survivors of ALL that occurred a long time after prophylactic whole-brain radiation therapy, and discuss the possible causative factors of GBM in ALL patients with a review of the literature.…”

“…The cumulative risk of overall second neoplasms, including radiation‐induced tumors, in patients with ALL has been reported to be 2.5–3.3% at 15 years from diagnosis . The most common radiation‐induced central nervous system (CNS) tumors are sarcoma and meningioma; and malignant glioma, such as glioblastoma (GBM), was considered to be more infrequent, but there have been a number of recent consistent reports on GBM after cranial radiotherapy for various types of disease …”

Glioblastoma after radiotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Review

“…Through a comprehensive review of the literature we identified 30 cases -including our 2 cases-in which GBM developed after PCI (Table1) (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Radiationinduced GBM in ALL patients was first reported by Chung et al in 1981 (2).…”

Radiation-Induced Glioblastoma Multiforme in a Remitted Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Patient

“…Post-radiation tumor, such as fibrosarcoma of the central nervous system (CNS) was first reported by Mann et al 11) and the role of radiation on tumorigenesis of the brain was documented for the first time by Modan et al 13) . From thence, there have been anecdotally reported cases of radiation-induced CNS tumors 12,22,27) . However, malignant gliomas occurring in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) pediatric patients on maintenance stage after complete remission have been reported very rarely worldwide.…”