Glioblastoma multiforme with extraneural metastases in the absence of previous surgery

A 63-year-old man was found to have an intracerebral glioblastoma multiforme and preoperative roentgenographic evidence of a mass in the middle lobe of the right lung. Because of the rarity of extraneural metastases from glioblastoma, especially in the absence of prior surgery, the lesions were considered to be separate neoplasms until death. The histologic appearance of the lung tumor obtained at autopsy was identical to the cerebral tumor. Additional metastases were found to bronchial lymph nodes and a lumbar vertebra. This case demonstrates that a glioblastoma can spontaneously metastasize extraneurally. Invasion of the glioblastoma into the lumen of a blood vessel was demonstrated within the primary tumor. Embolization of cells to the lung and beyond is the suspected mode of spread.