Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor that primarily affects adults, with cases in children being extremely rare. Gross total resection with subsequent irradiation and temozolomide, currently delivering the greatest overall survival, is the mainstay of therapy for juvenile GBM. Maximal surgical excision of the visible tumor mass has been shown to have a positive prognostic effect, but radiation concerns for growing brains and inconsistent results from different chemotherapy regimens in pediatric GBM make treatment choices for young patients challenging. Here, we report a case of GBM in an 11-year-old female child who presented with a dramatic presentation of neurologic deficits and clinical worsening due to rapid tumor growth.

Glioblastoma multiforme (IDH wild type) is an aggressive glial tumor of astrocytic origin (WHO-grade 4) with a two-year median survival period. Patients who live more than three years are considered as long survivors. In this study, we present a long survivor of a known case of neurofibromatosis type 1 who developed GBM of the giant cell type at age 14 years, and now the patient, at age 28, has been cancer-free for more than 14 years.