Key-words:
Adjuvant radiotherapy - astroblastoma - brain tumor - intraventricular tumor
Introduction
Astroblastoma is an extremely rare and challenging neuroepithelial primary tumor of
uncertain origin. It accounts for 0.45%–2.8% of all neuroglial tumors, and it is mainly
located in the cerebral hemispheres, mainly occupying frontoparietal hemisphere, although
other locations such as brainstem, cerebellum, hypothalamus, and intraventricular
have also been documented.[[1]] Astroblastoma shows a bimodal age incidence with cases being reported in young
adults as well as older patients. It was initially described by Bailey and Cushing
in 1926 as a separate glial tumor and further characterized by Bailey and Bucy in
1930. Controversies exist regarding its cellular origin; it shares features of both
astrocytomas and ependymomas.[[2]] It has been listed among “other neuroepithelial tumors” in the WHO classification
of tumors of the central nervous system. The most recent revision describes astroblastoma
as a high-grade (Grade 4) neuroepithelial tumor of unknown origin.[[3]] They generally present with symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial tension,
focal neurological deficits, and epileptic episodes. This tumor is prone to misdiagnosis
as it shares radiologic and histopathologic features with other glial tumors. The
standard of care treatment is not well defined and hence represents a challenging
tumor in terms of diagnosis, classification, and further treatment. Maximum safe resection
is the treatment of choice as like for other primary brain malignancies. For high-grade
lesions, adjuvant radiotherapy can be added for local control. Oncologists have tried
cyclophosphamide-, cisplatin-, and etoposide-based regimens for these tumors. Treatment
with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors in the form of bevacizumab has
also been attempted without much success. Hence, the role of chemotherapy for this
tumor is still not clear.[[4]] Here, we present a case of high-grade astroblastoma in a 35-year-old female referred
to us for postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy.
Case Report
A 35-year-old female presented to the outpatient department with the chief complaints
of severe headache, recurrent episodes of projectile vomiting, and generalized weakness
for 15 days. The patient had evidence of weak gag and swallowing. She also had an
absent cough, and the patient was not able to expel out the excessive secretions,
hence she underwent tracheostomy and started on nasogastric tube feeding.
She was clinically evaluated and advised to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
brain [[Figure 1]], [[Figure 2]] and [[Figure 3]] which revealed altered signal intensity lesion of size approximately 3.5 cm × 3.0
cm × 4.5 cm in the midline posterior fossa in relation to the fourth ventricle/vermis
anteriorly indenting over the inferior part of the pons and cervicomedullary region
with resultant mild proximal dilatation of the supratentorial ventricular system.
Lesion was isointense to mildly hyperintense on fluid -attenuated inversion recovery
diffusion-weighted imaging (FLAIR) and T2 images. It was isointense to slightly hypointense
on T1W1 images. Inferiorly the lesion was extending till cervicomedullary region with
concern raised for neoplastic etiology.
Figure 1: ×400 Magnification showing tumor with vascular hyalinization
Figure 2: ×200 Magnification showing tumor cells arranged in perivascular pseudorosettes with
short and eosinophilic cytoplasmic processes
Figure 3: Glial tissue infiltrated by the tumor cells in ×100
The patient underwent a midline suboccipital craniotomy and tumor decompression with
placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunt within 15 days of presentation. Cerebrospinal
fluid culture was also done with no growth. Postoperative histopathology [[Figure 4]], [[Figure 5]] and [[Figure 6]]revealed tumor cells arranged in perivascular pseudorosettes with short and thick
eosinophilic cytoplasmic processes extending toward vessel wall. Vascular hyalinization
and perivascular sclerosis were also noted. Individual tumor cells were round, oval
to epithelioid, pleomorphic, hyperchromatic with high N:C ratio, coarse chromatin,
and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Mitotic figures noted 2/10 hpf. Area of fibrillarity,
hemorrhage calcification, and congested hyalinized vessels were noted. On immunohistochemistry,
tumor cells were positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The histopathological
features were suggestive of high-grade astroblastoma.
Figure 4: Magnetic resonance imaging T1 axial image showing the lesion of size 3.5 cm × 3 cm
× 4.5 cm in the midline posterior fossa in relation to the fourth ventricle
Figure 5: Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging image showing the craniocaudal extent of the
tumor up to the cervicomedullary region
Figure 6: Magnetic resonance imaging T2 coronal image showing iso- to hyperintense tumor with
proximal dilatation of the supratentorial ventricular system
Postoperative noncontrast computed tomography brain showed postoperative changes with
extra-axial subdural pneumocephalus along the vermis and bilateral cerebellar convexity
with mass effect in the form of compression of the vermis and bilateral cerebellum,
brainstem, and fourth ventricle with draining shunt extending from the fourth and
third ventricles with mass effect in the form of compression of the fourth ventricle
and cisternal effacement.
The postoperative patient was referred to the radiation oncology department for radiotherapy.
We had planned for 60 Gy in 30 fractions for a period of 6 weeks at 2 Gy per fraction.
Discussion
Astroblastoma is an extremely rare and uncommon glial tumor encountered in routine
clinical practice. It is predominantly observed in cerebral hemispheres (significantly
in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe) of young adults but also affects
other sites such as brainstem, cerebellum, optic nerve, cauda equina, and hypothalamus.[[5]] It accounts for approximately 0.45%–2.8% of all neurological tumors.[[6]] It can occur at any age and has been reported during childhood period (5–10 years)
and in young adults (21–30 years). Females being diagnosed more with male-to-female
ratio reported to be 1:11.[[7]] The mechanism of tumorogenesis is still not well defined. It is a unique tumor
and shares features of both astrocytoma and ependymoma. Since Bailey and Bucy reported
the condition for the first time in 1930, this tumor has been reported sporadically
in the literature. Astroblastoma is associated with variable outcomes and is a highly
debatable entity. Brain tanycytes are believed to the source of origin of these tumors.
Tanycytes are involved in neuropeptide transport. Tanycytes have resemblance with
some rare brain tumors such as subependymoma and astroblastoma. These tumors are sometimes
referred to as tanycytomas.[[8]]
Histologically, spindle-shaped cells with short, broad tapering processes are arranged
in a perivascular pattern forming pseudo rosettes, reminiscent of ependymomas.[[9]] These tumors stain positive for vimentin and S-100, which are more characteristic
of astrocytic origin.[[2]],[[10]]
Astroblastomas are also GFAP, epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, and Olig2
positive and negative for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and TP53 mutations. Differentiation
into low grade and high grade is based on the features such as mitotic rate and degree
of cellular atypia and necrosis. There is existence of two distinct zones.[[11]] The first zone comprises cells around blood vessels with extensive sclerosis (astroblastoma
pseudo rosettes). These cells are GFAP and S-100 positive and demonstrate a low Ki-67
index. The second zone is highly cellular with distinctly fewer rosettes and contains
noncohesive cells depicting a more rhabdoid appearance. This is positive for S-100
and negative for GFAP and has a higher KI-67 index. The second zone confers a higher
grade to the diagnosis.
Brat et al. have demonstrated some data on its molecular genetics of astroblastoma.
They exhibit chromosomal aberrations in the form of gain of chromosomes 19 and 20.[[12]] Other alterations such as losses on 9q, 10 and X chromosome have also been observed.
Shuangshoti found loss of heterozygosity at the D19S412 locus on 19q in a cerebral
astroblastoma.[[13]] More recently, an absence of IDH½ and TP53 mutations, which are known to be involved
in the development of low-grade gliomas, was shown in astroblastoma.[[11]]
Imaging finding can offer help in the diagnosis and prognosis. Astroblastomas often
demonstrate T1 and T2 prolongation relative to white matter, with well-circumscribed
boundaries and heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The enhancement characteristics
can set it apart from meningiomas, which tend to exhibit a homogenous enhancement.
Their characteristic supratentorial location also helps set them apart from ependymomas
which usually involve the posterior fossa. Calcifications are consistent imaging finding
and would be unusual for glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) and Atypical teratoid and
rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs).
Astroblastoma tends to be peripherally oriented and may involve from the ventricular
system.[[14]] In these instances, additional imaging of neural axis should be considered to rule
out drop metastasis.[[15]] Although rim enhancement seen around its cystic components may resemble that of
a necrotic GBM, astroblastomas usually have a minimal peritumoral white matter T2
prolongation. Janz and Buhl refer the extent of peritumoral edema as carrying an unfavorable
radiological feature that suggested early recurrence or progression in astroblastoma,
even when if pathology is consistent with low grade. The authors showed a recurrence
rate of 23.5% in high grade and 60% in low grade.[[16]]
In a review of 85 patients by Sughrue et al., those undergoing gross total resection
(GTR) experienced improved survival compared to those undergoing subtotal resection
with 855 survival at 5 years in the GTR group versus 55% in the subtotal resection
group.[[17]] Mangano et al. analyzed outcomes and treatment strategies in low- and high-grade
astroblastomas: among the patients with high-grade tumors, those who received surgery
and radiotherapy had the highest survival rate.[[18]] [[Table 1]] summarizes the various case report and literature since 1975.
Table 1: The various case reports presented till date
Table 1: Contd...
Table 1: Contd...
Features suggestive of high-grade/malignant lesions include the extent of peritumoral
T2 signal on MRI, cytological atypia, high Ki-67 index, tumor necrosis, increased
cellularity, and vascular proliferation.[[11]],[[32]] These prognostic factors are not always applicable. Janz and Buhl present a case
in which there was an early recurrence of a low-grade variant that required postoperative
radiotherapy with no further recurrence.[[16]] Lau et al. and Yao et al. described a low-grade astroblastoma treated with GTR
that recurred at 12 and 20 months requiring another surgery followed by postoperative
radiotherapy.[[32]],[[49]] Dereck et al have demonstrated a case of low grade astroblastoma showing signs
of recurrence with leptomeningeal spread and in that case radiotherapy was delivered.
Optimal treatment modality for astroblastomas is not clear since it being a rare tumor.
GTR is the best treatment offered to the patients whenever possible since it provides
excellent tumor control rates and subtotal resection should be avoided.[[17]],[[38]] Addition of post operative adjuvant focal radiotherapy after subtotal resection
does not compensate for gross tumor resection and hence gross tumor resection is the
standard as far as safely achievable. Adjuvant therapy for high-grade and recurrent
cases is recommended.[[17]] The authors have tried various chemotherapeutic drugs in the form of temozolomide,
cisplatin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and bevacizumab without much success. Regular
follow-up is necessary even in low-grade variants due to unpredictable disease course.
Well-circumscribed tumors which have undergone total resection carry a favorable prognosis.
Ahmed et al. have published the largest series of 239 patients and concluded that
supratentorial location, age >60 years at diagnosis, and treatment before 1990 were
correlated with decreased survival.[[55]]
Conclusion
Astroblastoma is an extremely rare primary brain neoplasm. Since it shares features
with other brain tumors, the diagnosis is often challenging. Its histogenesis is still
not clear and confusion persists regarding its classification among other brain tumors.
Because of its rarity of occurrence, it is difficult to conduct studies to explore
its tumor characteristics. The treatment is variable without any standardization.
Although the surgical resection in terms of GTR is recommended, there is variable
use of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It has an unpredictable
biological course with an increased risk of recurrence and rapid progression. Case
reports like this help disseminate knowledge on uncommon tumors with insights on diagnostic
and treatment challenges.
Declaration of patient consent
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In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their
images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients
understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will
be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
