Granulocytic Sarcoma in the Cerebellum

Granulocytic sarcoma, a rare extramedullary solid tumor arising from early myeloid precursors, is capable of invading the meninges or the rain parenchyma. The tumor may occur during or after the onset of systemic myelogenous leukemia. On rare occasions, the tumor may evolve before the onset of systemic myelogenous leukemia. Children are affected more often than adults, but sex is not related. Although no definite target area of the brain can be demonstrated, there may be some predilection of the tumor for the posterior fossa. The authors report a case of 4-year-old-boy with granulocytic sarcoma occurring in the posterior fossa presenting with gait disturbance and torticollis. The patient was treated by surgical removal of the tumor, there by avoiding the potentially lethal complication of a posterior fassa mass. This rare case is reported together a review of the literature.

Immunohistochemical Study of p53 Gene Expression in Astrocytic Neoplasms

Nineteen astrocytic neoplasms, such as 9 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, 6 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and 4 cases of low grade astrocytoma, were analysed in view of the relationship between histopathologic grade, nuclear pleomorphism, grade of mutant p53 gene expression and mean survival time after operation. The histopathologic classification by Ringertz and immunohistochemical stain for mutant p53 gene with the DO-7 anti-p53 oncoprotein mouse monoclonal antibody were applied, and the results obtained were as follows; 1) Among 19 cases, 18 cases were located in the supratentorium, where 13 cases(42%) were located in the left and 17 cases(55%) in the right. 2) The p53 gene expression was detected in 12(63.2%) of the cases, as revealed by positive nuclear staining. All cases of glioblastoma multiforme showed p53 gene expression, compared with two(33.3%) cases of anaplastic astrocytoma and one(25%) case of low grade astrocytoma. The frequency and degree of histopathologic grade(p=0.03). 3) The mean survival time after operation was 29.49+/-4.08 months in cases with p53-negative tumors and 12.93+/-3.14 months in cases with p53-positive tumors(p<0.05). 4) Both histopathological classification and p53 gene expression showed a significant influence on servival(p=0.02 and p=0.03, respectively). 5) The relative risk for survival time was the highest in p53 gene expression. In conclusion, p53 gene expression appears to be one of the recommendable prognosticators among astrocytic neoplasms.

A Case of Intracerebral Metastasis of Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma: Case Report

We describe a case of metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma of the brain in a 31 year old women. Alveolar soft part sarcoma is rare tumor that occurs mostly in the extremities and have a high incidence of blood born metastasis. Cerebral metastasis may be the first manifestation of the disease. The histogenesis of alveolar soft part sarcoma remains uncertain. The primary therapeutic option is aggressive surgical excision. Survival even with the development of metasrasis can be long.