Cervical intramedullary glioblastoma. A report of a long-term survival case and a review of the literature

Spinal intramedullary glioblastoma has rarely been reported. Among reported cases, the most characteristic features are rapid progression of the disease and very poor prognosis. The mean survival period is 12 months. We report a patient having cervical intramedullary glioblastoma with long-term survival (26 months after the onset). A 21-year-old man presented with weakness in bilateral hands, and the symptoms progressed rapidly. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cervical intramedullary tumor. He underwent surgery of debulking of the cervical tumor, fractionated stereotactic irradiation, and repeated chemotherapy using nimustine hydrochloride (ACNU). Although dissemination of the tumor in the intracranial space deteriorated the patient, he survived for 26 months after the initial onset. It has been reported that no treatment is effective for this disease. However, it is also true that some patients respond well to the intensive treatment. It can be emphasized that scheduled intensive treatment for the disease under earlier histological confirmation should be performed. (author)