Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Astrocytoma
Introduction:
Including glioblastoma multiforme, highly malignant tumors of glial cells within the brain. They very rarely exhibit extracranial metastases but are highly locally invasive.
Prevalence: Very Rare Metastasis Frequency: Very Rare
References:
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1991 Jan;54(1):80-6. PMID: 2010766
Cancer. 1980 Jan 1;45(1):112-25. PMID: 6985826
J Clin Oncol. 2011 Oct 31. PMID: 22042941
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1996 Nov-Dec;17(10):1929-31. PMID: 8933881
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Brain |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | most common site of extracranial metastasis |
| Distant Lymph Nodes | Common | most commonly cervical |
|
| Bone | Common | Lytic | |
| Liver | Common | ||
| Pleura | Uncommon | ||
| Bone Marrow | Uncommon | ||
| Peritoneum | Rare | seeding via ventriculoperitoneal shunt |