Coexisting lipomatous meningioma and glioblastoma in Cowden syndrome: A unique tumor association

Is simultaneous occurrence of meningioma and glioblastoma a mere coincidence?

BACKGROUND

It is extremely unusual for multiple tumors to arise from different cell types and occur at the same time inside the brain. It is still unknown whether or not the coexistence of meningioma and glioblastoma is connected in any way or if their simultaneous appearance is merely a coincidence.

OBJECTIVE

We conduct a comprehensive literature review on cases of concurrent meningioma and glioblastoma occurrence to elucidate the underlying concepts that may constitute this coexistence.

METHODS

We searched for articles on the topic of glioblastoma coexisting with meningioma in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. First, the initial literature searches were conducted for study selection and the data collection processes. After evaluating the title and abstract, the papers were selected.

RESULTS

We analyzed 21 studies describing 23 patients who had both glioblastoma and meningioma. There were ten male patients (47.6 %) and thirteen female patients (61.9 %). The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 61 years old (the range 30 to 86). In 17 cases, both tumors were in the same hemisphere (80.9 %). In 5 cases, they were in the other hemisphere (23.8 %), and in one case, the glioblastoma was in the left hemisphere and the olfactory meningioma was In 5 cases, they were in the other hemisphere (23.8 %), and in one case, the glioblastoma was in the left hemisphere and the olfactory meningioma was in the anterior cranial fossa. In 61.9 % of cases, headache was the predominant symptom.

CONCLUSION

Understanding the unique challenges posed by the coexistence of glioblastoma and meningioma is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies. Further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms and genetic factors involved in this rare occurrence could pave the way for personalized therapies tailored to each patient's specific needs.

Intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or meningothelial meningioma (MM)? Outlining the similarities and differences on imaging studies for an accurate diagnosis, case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

AVM and MM represent neurosurgical challenges, not only when involving eloquent brain, but also by posing a significant intraoperative haemorrhagic risk. It is a challenge in itself to establish a proper differential diagnosis between the two lesions, especially since they require distinct interventional plan of action. We present the case of a patient initially diagnosed by specialists with an intracranial AVM, which was revealed intraoperatively to be in fact an MM.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 29-years patient, transferred to our department by urgency. The patient symptoms started two weeks prior admission with severe headache and vomiting. A cerebral computer tomographic angiography (CTA) was performed and interpreted by radiologists, as a large left frontal AVM.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Upon through review the majority of surgical team believed the mass to be AVM. However, during surgery it turned out to be Meningioma. The patient underwent a left pterional craniotomy with removal of the tumour, classified as Simpson grade II. The pathological exam confirmed the lesion to be an MM.

CONCLUSIONS

Acquiring neuro-radiological expertise is vital for the neurosurgeon, as well as fast ability for adjusting the initial action plan with the intraoperative discoveries. An experienced eye can benefit the patient by obtain a correct diagnosis in most difficult cases.

Nuclear PTEN's Functions in Suppressing Tumorigenesis: Implications for Rare Cancers

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) encodes a tumor-suppressive phosphatase with both lipid and protein phosphatase activity. The tumor-suppressive functions of PTEN are lost through a variety of mechanisms across a wide spectrum of human malignancies, including several rare cancers that affect pediatric and adult populations. Originally discovered and characterized as a negative regulator of the cytoplasmic, pro-oncogenic phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, PTEN is also localized to the nucleus where it can exert tumor-suppressive functions in a PI3K pathway-independent manner. Cancers can usurp the tumor-suppressive functions of PTEN to promote oncogenesis by disrupting homeostatic subcellular PTEN localization. The objective of this review is to describe the changes seen in PTEN subcellular localization during tumorigenesis, how PTEN enters the nucleus, and the spectrum of impacts and consequences arising from disrupted PTEN nuclear localization on tumor promotion. This review will highlight the immediate need in understanding not only the cytoplasmic but also the nuclear functions of PTEN to gain more complete insights into how important PTEN is in preventing human cancers.