Bone marrow metastases from glioblastoma multiforme – A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Clinically detected extra-cranial metastases from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are quite rare, with an incidence of <2% reported in the published literature. Among the various reported sites of systemic metastases from GBM, there are few cases of clinically symptomatic bone marrow metastasis. The case of a patient developing systemic dissemination of a GBM is described. A 60-year-old man with GBM who developed back pain, thrombocytopenia and subsequently neurological deficits was found to have extensive bony and bone marrow metastases. Previously reported cases of extra-cranial systemic spread of GBM and attempts made in the literature to explain the possible routes of extra-neural dissemination are reviewed.