Multiple Extraneural Metastases of an Anaplastic Astrocytoma - a Case Report

Since metastasizing of intracranial tumours outside the central nervous system is an extremely rare complication, this option tends to be omitted in clinical practice. Most frequently, metastases are formed by high-grade (malignant) gliomas. They occur most commonly in the lungs and/or pleura and, alternatively, in descending order in the kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, spleen, heart and skin. Higher incidence of metastases is associated with neurosurgical procedures. In this report, we describe a case of a patient with anaplastic astrocytoma and pulmonary metastases with clinical signs of pulmonary involvement definitely confirmed during autopsy that also revealed further metastases in the liver, adrenal glands and lumbar vertebrae.