Gliomatosis cerebri and pituitary adenoma: case report and literature review

J Neurooncol. 2005 Sep;74(3):321-4. doi: 10.1007/s11060-004-7901-3.

Abstract

The diagnosis of Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is known to be difficult and is still a matter of debate. We describe an in vivo case of GC associated with a pituitary tumor. A 47-year-old woman presented with short-term memory loss. A MRI revealed the presence of a pituitary enhancing tumor and a diffuse lesion involving the brain. A left pterional craniotomy with partial temporal lobectomy and removal of the pituitary lesion were performed in order to obtain diagnosis. The histological analyses showed a pituitary non-functioning tumor and a GC consisting of neoplastic oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Both lesions showed nuclear immunoreactivity for progesterone receptors (PGr) and estrogen receptors (EGr). This result could suggest there is a common receptor substrate in these tumors. In this case hormones could constitute a common step in tumorigenesis of both lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology*
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / surgery
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone