Glioblastoma multiforme of donor origin after renal transplantation: report of a case

Hum Pathol. 1993 Nov;24(11):1256-9. doi: 10.1016/0046-8177(93)90224-5.

Abstract

A case of transmission of a glioblastoma multiforme from the donor to a kidney transplant recipient in the absence of previous ventriculosystemic shunt is described. The recipient was a 48-year-old woman who developed a fever with no other associated symptoms 17 months posttransplant. Physical examination revealed a large nonpulsatile mass on the upper graft pole. Histopathologic examination showed a highly cellular neoplasm with fusiform and globoid cells, a high grade of nuclear pleomorphism and mitosis, necrosis with pseudopalisading, and vascular proliferation. Immunohistochemistry of the cells showed them to contain glial fibrillary acidic and S-100 proteins, consistent with a glioblastoma multiforme. We conclude that the risk of tumor transmission from donors with primary central nervous system tumors to kidney transplant recipients, is real and should be considered when evaluating a graft mass in such patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Glioblastoma / chemistry
  • Glioblastoma / etiology*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • S100 Proteins / analysis
  • Tissue Donors*

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • S100 Proteins