Extracranial relapse of an anaplastic oligodendroglioma in an adolescent: case report and review of the literature

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma metastasizing to the bone marrow: a unique case report and literature review

Oligodendrogliomas are a rare type of primary brain tumor. They are genetically defined as diffuse gliomas carrying mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase type 1 (IDH1) or type 2 (IDH2) and codeletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q. The WHO grading system distinguishes two histopathologic grades of ODs: grade II (low-grade) and grade III (anaplastic oligodendroglioma or AO). These tumors rarely metastasize outside of central nervous system with only few cases reported in the literature. Here we present a case of an AO, which metastasized to the bone marrow and other sites within a year of diagnosis despite aggressive treatment measures. Our patient eventually succumbed to his disease, raising many questions about this rare condition, its natural course and optimal management strategy.

Predictors of clinical outcome in pediatric oligodendroglioma: meta-analysis of individual patient data and multiple imputation

OBJECTIVE Oligodendroglioma is a rare primary CNS neoplasm in the pediatric population, and only a limited number of studies in the literature have characterized this entity. Existing studies are limited by small sample sizes and discrepant interstudy findings in identified prognostic factors. In the present study, the authors aimed to increase the statistical power in evaluating for potential prognostic factors of pediatric oligodendrogliomas and sought to reconcile the discrepant findings present among existing studies by performing an individual-patient-data (IPD) meta-analysis and using multiple imputation to address data not directly available from existing studies. METHODS A systematic search was performed, and all studies found to be related to pediatric oligodendrogliomas and associated outcomes were screened for inclusion. Each study was searched for specific demographic and clinical characteristics of each patient and the duration of event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Given that certain demographic and clinical information of each patient was not available within all studies, a multivariable imputation via chained equations model was used to impute missing data after the mechanism of missing data was determined. The primary end points of interest were hazard ratios for EFS and OS, as calculated by the Cox proportional-hazards model. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The multivariate model was adjusted for age, sex, tumor grade, mixed pathologies, extent of resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, tumor location, and initial presentation. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A systematic search identified 24 studies with both time-to-event and IPD characteristics available, and a total of 237 individual cases were available for analysis. A median of 19.4% of the values among clinical, demographic, and outcome variables in the compiled 237 cases were missing. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed subtotal resection (p = 0.007 [EFS] and 0.043 [OS]), initial presentation of headache (p = 0.006 [EFS] and 0.004 [OS]), mixed pathologies (p = 0.005 [EFS] and 0.049 [OS]), and location of the tumor in the parietal lobe (p = 0.044 [EFS] and 0.030 [OS]) to be significant predictors of tumor progression or recurrence and death. CONCLUSIONS The use of IPD meta-analysis provides a valuable means for increasing statistical power in investigations of disease entities with a very low incidence. Missing data are common in research, and multiple imputation is a flexible and valid approach for addressing this issue, when it is used conscientiously. Undergoing subtotal resection, having a parietal tumor, having tumors with mixed pathologies, and suffering headaches at the time of diagnosis portended a poorer prognosis in pediatric patients with oligodendroglioma.

Osteosclerosis Secondary to Metastatic Oligodendroglioma

This paper reviews a case of metastatic 1p/19q codeleted oligodendrioglioma causing diffuse osteosclerosis and pain. Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors rarely metastasize outside the CNS, and metastatic oligodendroglioma is rarer still. The patient in this study had relief of pain after being treated with temozolomide. We discuss this rare presentation and potential treatment options, and review the literature in regards to metastatic oligodendrogliomas.

Clinicopathologic features of pediatric oligodendrogliomas: a series of 50 patients

Oligodendrogliomas are an important adult form of diffuse gliomas with a distinctive clinical and genetic profile. Histologically similar tumors occurring rarely in children are incompletely characterized. We studied 50 patients with oligodendrogliomas (median age at diagnosis 8 y, range 7 mo to 20 y). Tumors resembling dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors or pilocytic astrocytomas or those having a "mixed" histology were excluded. Tumors at first diagnosis were low grade (n=38) or anaplastic (n=12). Histologic features included uniform round cells with perinuclear halos (100%), secondary structures (predominantly perineuronal satellitosis) (90%), calcifications (46%), and microcysts (44%). Sequential surgical specimens were obtained in 8 low-grade oligodendroglioma patients, with only 1 progressing to anaplasia. Studies for 1p19q performed in 40 cases demonstrated intact 1p19q loci in 29 (73%), 1p19q codeletion in 10 (25%), and 1p deletion with intact 19q in 1 (2%). Except for 2 young patients (3 and 11 y of age), patients with 1p19q codeletion were older than 16 years at diagnosis. Mutant IDH1 (R132H) protein immunohistochemistry was positive in 4 (of 22) (18%) cases, 3 of which also had 1p19q codeletion, whereas 1p19q status was not available on the fourth case. There was a nonsignificant trend for worse overall survival in grade III tumors, but no significant association with age, extent of resection, or 1p19q status. In summary, oligodendrogliomas with classic histology occur in the pediatric population but lack 1p19q codeletion and IDH1 (R132H) mutations in most instances. They are predominantly low grade, recur/clinically progress in a subset, but demonstrate a relatively low frequency of histologic progression.

Occipital anaplastic oligodendroglioma with multiple organ metastases after a short clinical course: a case report and literature review

Background

It is generally believed that malignant gliomas never metastasize outside the central nervous system (CNS). However, the notion that oligodendrogliomas (OGDs) cells cannot spread outside CNS is being challenged.

Methods

We described in detail the clinical story of one patient with anaplastic OGD, which metastasized to lymph nodes, bone marrowand bones Genetic analyses included detection of 1p and 19q chromosomal arms, methylation status of MGMT promoter, and PTEN exon mutations. A search of worldwide literature was conducted for reports of metastatic OGDs using NCBI-PubMed, with the keywords “extracranial”, “extraneural”, “oligodendroglioma”, “oligodendrogliomas”, “metastatic”, “metastasis”, and “metastases”, in different combinations.

Results

An open biopsy of the infiltrated bones in our patient revealed that malignant cells had replaced the patient’s marrow. Moreover, the diagnosis of multiple-organ metastases of anaplastic OGD was confirmed based on immunohistochemical staining. Genetic analyses showed that the tumors originated from previously resected brain lesions. None of the lesions had 1p and 19q deletions, but hypermethylation of MGMT promoter, and the G → A transversion at codon 234 of PTEN exon 2 were detected. Literatures review yielded 60 reports of metastatic OGDs from 1951 to the present, which with our patient makes 61 cases. Concerning these 61 patients, there were 110 infiltrated sites correlated closely with primary OGDs. The most frequent metastatic sites were bone and bone marrow (n = 47; 42.7%), lymph nodes (n = 22; 20.0%), liver (n = 7; 6.4%), scalp (n = 6; 5.5%), lung (n = 6; 5.5%), pleura (n = 4; 3.6%), chest wall (n = 3; 2.7%), iliopsoas muscle (n = 2; 1.8%), soft tissue (n = 2; 1.8%), and parotid gland (n = 2; 1.8%).

Conclusions

Extracranial metastases in anaplastic OGD are very rare but they do occur; bone and bone marrow may be the most common sites. Detection of certain molecular markers such as deletion of 1p and 19q chromosomal arms, hypermethylation of MGMT promoter, and characteristic PTEN exon mutations may help differentiate subtypes which are more prone to extracranial metastases.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8749838611478560.

Microsatellite alterations and cell-free DNA analysis: could they increase the cytology sensitivity in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion?

BACKGROUND

The exact diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions (PE) is difficult and often requires combined procedures, because the cytological examination of pleural fluid does not detect tumoral cells in 40% of malignant effusion cases. The aim of this study was to analyze microsatellite alterations (MA) in malignant PE and to determine their diagnostic value as an additional test to cytological examination. The increase in cell-free DNA levels was also evaluated as a signal of probable malignancy.

METHODS

A total of 84 patients with PE were enrolled and underwent PE and whole blood and exhaled breath condensate analyses. Free DNA was measured by spectrophotometer analyses. DNA was extracted from all samples and analyzed for MA, using the microsatellite markers at chromosomes 3p, 12p, 5q, and 17p.

RESULTS

The microsatellite analysis of PE exhibited a higher percentage of alterations in malignant PE than in benign PE. In addition to this, cell-free DNA in PE was seen to be significantly more elevated in malignant than in benign PE. The sensitivity of the sole cytology increased considerably when patients showed at least one MA or DNA>4 ng/μL in the PE.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it was seen that the combination of the cytological examination with microsatellite analyses and cell-free DNA in pleural fluid could increase the sensitivity of the diagnosis in patients with PE who have a suspected malignancy, obviating the need for other invasive diagnostic procedures.

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma after childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Secondary brain tumors after cranial irradiation occur in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We report a case of anaplastic oligodendroglioma with recurrence occurring in a 15-year-old girl, 8 years after the diagnosis of ALL. She was treated with cisplatin, vincristine, etoposide, and ifosfamide followed by cranial irradiation with good response. However, as new lesions appeared out of the radiation field and then multiple lesions after she stopped the chemotherapy, she was treated with procarbazine, CCNU, and vincristine followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with preconditioning of carboplatin, thiotepa, and etoposide. She showed no evidence of disease for 3 years after last recurrence. High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue seems to be potentially effective for multiple recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma occurring after childhood ALL.