Glioblastoma with pseudoresponse (bevacizumab)

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard , 9 Aug 2021
Diagnosis almost certain
Changed by Frank Gaillard, 6 Apr 2022
Disclosures - updated 4 Apr 2022:
  • Radiopaedia Australia Pty Ltd, Founder and CEO (ongoing)
  • Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, Investigator-Initiated Research Grant for CAD software development in multiple sclerosis (past)

Updates to Case Attributes

Body was changed:

Histology

This histology is from the original resection (prior to the first study shown). 

ectionsSections show pieces of a moderately cellular diffusely infiltrating tumour. The tumour cells are enlarged and pleomorphic, with angulated nuclei, relatively fine chromatin and a central nucleolus. In some areas there appears to be some perinuclear clearing, while in other areas the tumour has a microcystic appearance. There are plentiful calcifications. Mitoses are not seen. There is no necrosis or microvascular proliferation.

  • GFAP: positive
  • OLIG2: positive
  • IDH1 R132H: negative (not mutated)
  • ATRX: positive (not mutated)
  • p53: mosaic (probably not mutated)
  • p16: positive
  • Ki67: 1-2%
  • BRAF V600E: negative
  • Synaptophysin: negative
  • NFP: negative
  • NeuN: negative I

Next-genereation sequencing

  • 1p/19q codeletion: Not detected
  • EGFRamplification: Not detected
  • IDH1codon 132: No pathogenic variant detected
  • IDH2codon 172: No pathogenic variant detected
  • BRAFcodon 600: No pathogenic variant detected
  • H3F3Acodons 27 and 34: No pathogenic variant detected
  • TERTpromoter Chr5:1295228 (C228T) and chr5:1295250 (C250T): PATHOGENIC VARIANT DETECTED

FINAL INTEGRATED DIAGNOSIS: Glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype).

Discussion

This case demonstrates the profound blood-brain-barrier reconstitution effects of bevacizumab that can result in a dramatic reduction in oedema and enhancement without necessarily having an actual treatment effect on the tumour. This is best appreciated on rCBV and ADC. 

  • -<p><strong>Histology</strong></p><p>This histology is from the original resection (prior to the first study shown). </p><p>ections show pieces of a moderately cellular diffusely infiltrating tumour. The tumour cells are enlarged and pleomorphic, with angulated nuclei, relatively fine chromatin and a central nucleolus. In some areas there appears to be some perinuclear clearing, while in other areas the tumour has a microcystic appearance. There are plentiful calcifications. Mitoses are not seen. There is no necrosis or microvascular proliferation.</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Histology</strong></p><p>This histology is from the original resection (prior to the first study shown). </p><p>Sections show pieces of a moderately cellular diffusely infiltrating tumour. The tumour cells are enlarged and pleomorphic, with angulated nuclei, relatively fine chromatin and a central nucleolus. In some areas there appears to be some perinuclear clearing, while in other areas the tumour has a microcystic appearance. There are plentiful calcifications. Mitoses are not seen. There is no necrosis or microvascular proliferation.</p><ul>
  • -</ul><p>FINAL INTEGRATED DIAGNOSIS: <a title="Glioblastoma" href="/articles/glioblastoma">Glioblastoma</a> (IDH-wildtype).</p><p><strong>Discussion</strong></p><p>This case demonstrates the profound blood-brain-barrier reconstitution effects of bevacizumab that can result in a dramatic reduction in oedema and enhancement without necessarily having an actual treatment effect on the tumour. This is best appreciated on rCBV and ADC. </p>
  • +</ul><p>FINAL INTEGRATED DIAGNOSIS: <a href="/articles/glioblastoma-idh-wildtype">Glioblastoma</a> (IDH-wildtype).</p><p><strong>Discussion</strong></p><p>This case demonstrates the profound blood-brain-barrier reconstitution effects of bevacizumab that can result in a dramatic reduction in oedema and enhancement without necessarily having an actual treatment effect on the tumour. This is best appreciated on rCBV and ADC. </p>

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