Astroblastoma – a case report of a rare neuroepithelial tumor with complete remission after chemotherapy

Introduction: Astroblastoma is a rare glial tumor of uncertain origin affecting mostly children, adolescents and young adults. Given the rarity and the definitional problems concerning this tumor entity, the prognosis and appropriate treatment are at this point unclear. Case report: A 50-year-old Caucasian female presented with a seizure. Radiological findings showed a well-defined circumscribed tumor located in the right cerebral frontal lobe. The patient underwent primary surgery followed by postoperative radiotherapy. After 6 months the tumor recurred with multiple small lesions not available for surgery. Chemotherapy was administered with complete radiological response. Seven years after surgery and more than 6 years after completed chemotherapy the patient is free of disease. Histopathology revealed a gliomatous tumor with gemistocyte-like tumor cells arranged in palisades or strings and areas with perivascular pseudorosettes, consistent with astroblastoma. Immunophenotype and ultrastructural findings confirmed the diagnosis and verified the neuroepithelial origin. Conclusion: Astroblastomas are rare brain tumors and pose a challenge in the diagnostic and clinical approach. In general, they have an unpredictable course with a tendency of recurrence. This and other case reports support a survival benefit of chemotherapy, suggesting this as an important treatment option for these patients.