Primary cerebral gliosarcoma: report of 17 cases

Abstract

A retrospective study of 17 cases of primary cerebral gliosarcoma is presented. These uncommon highly aggressive intracranial neoplasms were seen at the Royal Preston Hospital, between 1973 and 1992. The patients' ages ranged from 21 to 73 years (mean 52), nine were males and eight were females. They presented with signs and symptoms of a rapidly expanding brain tumour. The diagnosis was suspected on radiological findings and confirmed by histological examination. Treatment involved surgical excision in 15 cases and biopsy in two followed by radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was given in three cases. Despite active management, median survival was only 9 months. The clinical, radiological and pathological features of these lesions are highlighted with emphasis on combined histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The features of gliosarcoma and glioblastoma are compared and contrasted.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes for a modern series of primary gliosarcoma patients

“…5,10,[12][13][14][15][16][17] However, the majority of these studies did not specify a diagnosis of PGS, and included a mixture of both de novo and secondary gliosarcomas. The report by Perry et al in 1995 suggested a more favorable prognosis in patients with secondary gliosarcoma, underscoring the importance of keeping the primary type and gliosarcoma diagnosed at disease recurrence of prior malignant glioma distinct.…”

Childhood’s gliosarcomas: pathological and therapeutical considerations on three cases and critical review of the literature

“…Gliosarcoma is a rare glial tumor which accounts for 1.8-8% of glioblastomas [7,15,17,24] with an estimated annual incidence in Europe and the USA of one case per million inhabitants [14]. Gliosarcomas generally appear in the brains of adult patients.…”

Gliosarcomas: Are They Still Dreadful?

“…According to the 2010 statistical analysis by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, from 2004 to 2006, GBM accounted for 53.8% of all Gliomas, Gliosarcomas accounted for 2% of all GBM. The epidemiology and natural history of Gliosarcomas are similar to Glioblastoma (4,5,6) . Males are more frequently affected than females (M: F ratio 1 …”