Summary
Metastatic dissemination of malignant glioma is rare. Metastatic disease usually occurs
within the neuraxis but extracranial spread to the liver, spleen, lung, peritoneum
and lymph nodes can also occur. In most cases of metastatic disease, the patient has
previously undergone a craniotomy. The prognosis is uniformly poor. The vast majority
of patients do not survive beyond six months from diagnosis of metastatic spread of
a primary intracranial tumour. The pathophysiology and natural history of this condition
is still not fully understood, hence well-designed prospective studies are needed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 29,
2004
Received:
April 21,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
