FABP4 is a candidate marker of cerebellar liponeurocytomas

Recurrent liponeurocytoma: A case report and systematic review of the literature

Background:

Liponeurocytomas are rare neurocytic neoplasms that most often arise in the posterior fossa and affect individuals in the third and fifth decades of life. Most reported cases of this unique tumor in the literature have described a favorable clinical prognosis without recurrence. However, increasing reports of recurrent cases prompted the World Health Organization, in 2016, to recategorize the tumor from Grade I to the less favorable Grade II classification. We conducted a systematic review to identify recurrent cases of this unique tumor and to summarize differences between the primary and recurrent cases of liponeurocytoma.

Methods:

A systematic review exploring recurrent liponeurocytoma cases was conducted by searching the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases for articles in English. Abstracts from articles were read and selected for full-text review according to a priori criteria. Relevant full-text articles were analyzed for symptoms, imaging, location, histological, pathological, treatment, and recurrence-free time between the primary and recurrent cases.

Results:

Of 4392 articles, 15 articles accounting for 18 patients were included (level of evidence: IV) in the study. Recurrence-free time decreased from an average of 82 months between the primary tumor resection to first recurrence to 31.3 months between the first and second recurrence. Recurrent tumors demonstrated increased pleomorphic neural cells, necrosis, vascular proliferation, and MIB-1 index when compared to the primary tumor. Several cases also demonstrated decreased lipidizing components when compared to the primary tumor, further indicating increased dedifferentiation. The primary treatment for this tumor was surgical resection with occasional adjunctive radiotherapy.

Conclusion:

Recurrent cases of liponeurocytoma have features of increased malignant proliferation compared to the primary cases. The standard treatment for these primary and recurrent tumors is gross total resection. The role of adjunctive radiotherapy remains a matter of debate.

Surgical management and clinical outcomes of cerebellar liponeurocytomas-a report of seven cases and a pooled analysis of individual patient data

Cerebellar liponeurocytomas (CLPNs) are very rare, with very few studies on this disease. Their treatment protocol also remains unclear. To better understand the disease, we reviewed the clinical features and outcomes, and proposed a treatment protocol based on previously reported cases as well as cases from our institute. The clinical data were obtained from seven patients with pathologically confirmed CLPNs, who underwent surgical treatment at our institute between November 2011 and June 2021. We also reviewed the relevant literature and 75 patients with CLPNs were identified between September 1993 and June 2021. Risk factors for progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated in the pooled cohort. Our cohort included four males and three females, with a mean age of 43.9 ± 14.5 years (range: 29-64 years). CLPNs were located in the lateral ventricle in three cases and in the cerebellum in four cases. All seven cases achieved gross total resection (GTR) and radiotherapy was administered to two cases. After a mean follow-up of 44.9 ± 44.4 months, all patients remained well, with no recurrence or death. Among the 75 patients reported in the literature, 35 were males and 40 were females, with a mean age of 46.2 ± 13.6 years (range: 6-77 years). Biopsy, GTR, and non-GTR were achieved in one (1.3%), 50 (66.7%), and 24 (32%) patients, respectively. Radiotherapy was administered to 16 cases and chemotherapy was administered to only one case. After a mean follow-up of 47.5 ± 51.5 months, three patients died and tumor recurrence occurred in 17 patients. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that non-GTR predicted a poor PFS (p = 0.020), and postoperative radiotherapy could not prolong PFS (p = 0.708). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed that GTR was significantly associated with longer PFS (p = 0.008), and postoperative radiotherapy could not prolong PFS (p = 0.707). PFS rates at 1, 5, 10 years were 92.7%, 78.0%, 23.8% respectively. CLPNs are very rare brain tumors. Although they have favorable clinical prognosis, the recurrence is relatively high. GTR should be the first choice for treatment and close follow-up is necessary. Postoperative radiotherapy could not improve PFS in this study. A larger cohort is needed to verify our findings.

A case of adult cerebellar liponeurocytoma with atypical radiological features and long survival with literature review

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma or lipomatous medulloblastoma is a rare oncological entity. Knowledge regarding the management and outcomes of these rare tumors are still evolving. Very few cases have been described previously in the literature. The authors report a case of a middle-aged woman operated on twice, 8 years apart, with uneventful postoperative follow-ups. Radiological characteristics were revealed atypically on the computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Histopathological study supported a cerebellar liponeurocytoma with classic immunohistochemical features. Through this report, the authors aim to describe atypical radiological and histopathological features of this rare entity with good outcome by going through a comprehensive review of the existing literature.

Cerebellar Liponeurocytoma Mimicking Medulloblastoma: Case Report of a Childhood and Literature Review

Background

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the central nervous system, which arises mainly in adult patients with only 3 cases reported in children. Due to its rarity, the diagnosis and treatment strategies for cerebellar liponeurocytoma remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the epidemiology, clinical features, imaging findings, pathological characteristics, different diagnoses, treatment, and prognosis of cerebellar liponeurocytoma in juveniles.

Case Description

A 5-year-old boy was admitted to the department of neurosurgery due to a 5-month history of headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, dysphoria, as well as visual blurring associated with the peak of the headache. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4.9×5.4×6.2 cm mass located in the fourth ventricle and cerebellar vermis combined with hydrocephalus and periventricular edema. The mass was completely removed, and pathological examination indicated a cerebellar liponeurocytoma of the World Health Organization Grade II classification.

Conclusion

The present study was the first to report a cerebellar liponeurocytoma with total tumor resection and adjuvant radiotherapy in a pediatric patient. Total tumor resection and postoperative radiotherapy together with close and long-term follow-up seem to be the optimal treatment strategy for juvenile patients. However, the side-effect of radiation needs to be considered.

Central Nervous System Tumor Classification: An Update on the Integration of Tumor Genetics

In 2016, the World Health Organization Classification of CNS Tumors introduced molecular abnormalities that refined tumor diagnoses. Around this time, the introduction of large scale genetic mutational analyses quickly advanced our knowledge of recurrent abnormalities in disease. In 2017, the C-IMPACT group was established to render expert consensus opinions regarding the application of molecular findings into central nervous system tumor diagnoses. C-IMPACT have presented their recommendations in 7 peer-reviewed publications; this article details those recommendations that are expected to be incorporated into the upcoming fifth edition of the World Health Organization classification.

Metabolic, immunohistochemical, and genetic profiling of a cerebellar liponeurocytoma with spinal dissemination: a case report and review of the literature

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma (cLNC), categorized as a World Health Organization grade II tumor, is a rare neoplasm characterized by advanced neuronal/neurocytic differentiation and focal lipid accumulation in neuroepithelial tumor cells. However, the expression and genetic profiling of cLNC have been poorly studied. A 44-year-old woman with a three-year history of cerebellar ataxia and numbness in lower extremities underwent radiological examination revealing multiple contrast-enhancing tumors at the floor of the fourth ventricle and in the lower vermis, and spinal dissemination. The high uptake of 11 C-methionine in positron emission tomography (Met-PET) supported the preoperative cLNC diagnosis. Subtotal removal of the tumor around the obex and inferior vermis was performed. Histologically, the tumor was composed of small, uniform cells with round nuclei in a sheet-like fashion. Tumor cells were diffusely reactive for the neuronal markers synaptophysin and neurofilament. Vacuolate cells with a displacement of nuclei suggested the accumulation of lipid, which was further supported by immunohistochemical staining of S-100. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of cLNC. Next-generation sequencing of tumoral DNA detected a splice site mutation in the ATRX gene. Further reports of cLNC cases with detailed expression and genetic profiles are essential for precise diagnosis and clarifying the oncogenic pathway in cLNC.

Cerebellar Liponeurocytoma: A Rare Fatty Tumor and its Literature Review

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare oncological entity, and the knowledge about the treatment and outcome of these rare tumors is still evolving. Very few cases have been described in literature. We report a middle-aged male who presented with raised intracranial pressure features and gait ataxia. His imaging features revealed classical features of liponeurocytoma in cerebellar vermis, with abundant fat component evident in both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. He underwent resection of the lesion and has been asymptomatic for 4 years. This report describes the classical radiological and immunohistochemical features of this rare entity with favorable outcome and reviews the existing literature.

Targeting the endocannabinoid system as a potential anticancer approach

The endocannabinoid system is currently under intense investigation due to the therapeutic potential of cannabinoid-based drugs as treatment options for a broad variety of diseases including cancer. Besides the canonical endocannabinoid system that includes the cannabinoid receptors CB₁ and CB₂ and the endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, recent investigations suggest that other fatty acid derivatives, receptors, enzymes, and lipid transporters likewise orchestrate this system as components of the endocannabinoid system when defined as an extended signaling network. As such, fatty acids acting at cannabinoid receptors (e.g. 2-arachidonoyl glyceryl ether [noladin ether], N-arachidonoyldopamine) as well as endocannabinoid-like substances that do not elicit cannabinoid receptor activation (e.g. N-palmitoylethanolamine, N-oleoylethanolamine) have raised interest as anticancerogenic substances. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase, lipid transport proteins of the fatty acid binding protein family, additional cannabinoid-activated G protein-coupled receptors, members of the transient receptor potential family as well as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors have been considered as targets of antitumoral cannabinoid activity. Therefore, this review focused on the antitumorigenic effects induced upon modulation of this extended endocannabinoid network.

Liponeurocytoma of the Cerebellopontine Angle

BACKGROUND

Liponeurocytoma is a very rare tumor classified as grade II (neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors) according to 2016 World Health Organization classification of tumors of the central nervous system. The median age at detection is 50 years, and the most frequent location is the posterior cranial fossa, especially within the cerebellar hemispheres; liponeurocytomas arising in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are exceptional.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Here we report the clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of a CPA liponeurocytoma in a 35-year-old woman, as well as a review of the literature. This unusual cisternal location raises the issue of the differential imaging diagnosis with much more common CPA tumors (e.g., meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas, ependymomas, epidermoid cyst, hemangioblastomas, medulloblastomas).

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, 59 cases of cerebellar liponeurocytomas have been reported to date, which include only 6 cases of CPA liponeurocytomas. Treatment relies on total removal whenever possible, with an excellent prognosis, but a high MIB-1 index (>10%) and/or incomplete tumor resection are the main adverse prognostic factors.

Supratentorial intracerebral cerebellar liponeurocytoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by low proliferation but high likelihood of recurrence. Because of its rarity and the paucity of systematic follow-up, the biological behaviors and clinical features of this tumor are still poorly understood. We herein reported a case of cerebellar liponeurocytoma originating in the cerebral hemisphere.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 11-year-old male with intermittent headache, nausea, and vomiting. The first computed tomography revealed a large mass in the right cerebral hemisphere. He was transferred to our institution for neurosurgical treatment.

DIAGNOSIS

Magnetic resonance imaging showed a large cystic-solid mass in the right frontal lobe with obvious contrast enhancement. Histopathological examinations showed sheets of isomorphic small neoplastic cells with clear cytoplasm and focal lipomatous differentiation. On immunohistochemistry, tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin, microtubule-associated protein 2, and neuronal nuclei antigen.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was performed a right fronto-parietal craniotomy, and gross total resection of the tumor was achieved without adjuvant therapy.

OUTCOMES

No clinical or neuroradiological evidence of recurrence or residual of the tumor was found 6 years and 2 months after initial surgery.

LESSONS

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma developing in supratentorial cerebral hemisphere was first reported in the present study. The radiological and histopathological features may be useful in differentiating this rare tumor from other tumors at similar locations. A change in the nomenclature of cerebellar liponeurocytomas should be considered in future World Health Organization (WHO) classifications.

Clinical features and prognosis for intraventricular liponeurocytoma

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a rare central nervous system tumor, we investigate its biological behaviors and clinical prognosis to improve the understanding of this tumor. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiological and histopathological findings as well as follow-up data of two patients with intraventricular liponeurocytomas in Beijing Tiantan Hospital between July 2000 and July 2016. The main clinical manifestations of the two patients were headache. The supratentorial intraventricular liponeurocytoma appeared as isodense to slight hyperdense on CT scan and heterogeneous intensity on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). The plaque-like hypodense on CT images and hyperintensity on T1WI resembling fat could be seen inside the tumor. The liponeurocytoma located in the fourth ventricle showed isointensity on T1 and T2WI as well as slight enhancement on contrast. Two patients accepted gross total resection of tumors. Two intraventricular tumors demonstrated similarly histopathological features, such as isomorphic small tumor cells with clear cytoplasm, sheets of monomorphic round cells and focal lipomatous differentiation. In addition, expression of synaptophysin, neuron specific enolase, microtubule-associated protein 2 and S-100 were found. No radiological or clinical evidence of recurrence of the tumors was observed in their follow-up surveys. In conclusion, intraventricular liponeurocytoma has a favorable clinical course, radiological features may be useful in the diagnosis of this rare tumor before surgery.

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma: a rare intracranial tumor with possible familial predisposition. Case report

The biological origin of cerebellar liponeurocytomas is unknown, and hereditary forms of this disease have not been described. Here, the authors present clinical and histopathological findings of a young patient with a cerebellar liponeurocytoma who had multiple immediate family members who harbored similar intracranial tumors. A 37-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with a history of progressive headaches. Lipomatous medulloblastoma had been diagnosed previously in her mother and maternal grandfather, and her maternal uncle had a supratentorial liponeurocytoma. MRI revealed a large, poorly enhancing, lipomatous mass emanating from the superior vermis that produced marked compression of posterior fossa structures. An uncomplicated supracerebellar infratentorial approach was used to resect the lesion. Genetic and histopathological analyses of the lesion revealed neuronal, glial, and lipomatous differentiation and confirmed the diagnosis of cerebellar liponeurocytoma. A comparison of the tumors resected from the patient and, 22 years previously, her mother revealed similar features. Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is a poorly understood entity. This report provides novel evidence of an inheritable predisposition for tumor development. Accurate diagnosis and reporting of clinical outcomes and associated genetic and histopathological changes are necessary for guiding prognosis and developing recommendations for patient care.

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma in two siblings suggests a possible familial predisposition

There is limited data on the genetic origin and natural history of cerebellar liponeurocytoma. To the best of our knowledge there has been only one report of a familial presentation of this rare entity. We report a 72-year-old female with a posterior fossa tumor presenting with progressive cerebellar signs and symptoms. The patient underwent total tumor resection via an uncomplicated sub-occipital craniotomy. Histopathologic examination was diagnostic for cerebellar liponeurocytoma. Her sister was previously treated for a similar tumor. Our report provides further evidence for the possible existence of a hereditary abnormality predisposing afflicted families to cerebellar liponeurocytoma development.

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma: A case report and review of the literature

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma is rare, and the clinical characteristics and treatment strategy remain unclear. In the present study, a case of cerebellar liponeurocytoma was retrospectively reported and a literature review was performed. A 45-year-old female presented due to occipital headaches, exhibiting a hoarse voice and a broad-based gait. Pre-operative magnetic resonance images revealed a lesion occupying the right hemisphere of the cerebellum and the inferior vermis, compressing the medulla oblongata from the right side, and extending through the foramen magnum to the C2 level. A total resection was performed, and pathological analysis of the lesion showed positivity for synaptophysin, S-100 and neuronal nuclear antigen, partial positivity for Olig-2, and negativity for glial fibrillary acidic protein and epithelial membrane antigen. In addition, the Ki-67 index was low (<5%). Thus, a diagnosis of cerebellar liponeurocytoma was determined. Total resection was successful and the patient was followed up closely. A review of the literature showed that cerebellar liponeurocytoma is mainly located in the cerebellum, with rare extra-cerebellar cases. Certain studies have suggested that the tumor may be located supratentorially and subtentorially, and should be renamed as solely liponeurocytoma. Total resection of the tumor contributes to an improved prognosis, while a subtotal resection and high Ki-67 index lead to recurrence. The tumor is similar to a tumor of low malignancy, with long-term recurrence. Radiation is recommended when there is residual tumor, recurrence or when the Ki-67 is high.

Multiple primary liponeurocytoma of the central nervous system

We report a unique case of primary multiple liponeurocytoma. Liponeurocytoma is a rare benign tumor (Grade II) of the posterior cranial fossa with neural- or probably astrocytic-lineage cells; the tumor stroma contains mature adipocytes. This case is the thirty-eighth case of this pathology reported in the world literature and the first case of multiple form of this disease. We have provided a sufficiently thorough neuroradiological and histological picture that allows one to differentiate between a liponeurocytoma and other histological variants. Recommendations for the tactics for managing patients with this rare disease are proposed based on the analysis of treatment of this pathology reported in the world literature.

Understanding cerebellar liponeurocytomas: case report and literature review

Cerebellar liponeurocytomas were recognized in the 2000 WHO 3rd edition of CNS tumors as a distinct grade I pathological entity, a tumor with a more favorable prognosis than medulloblastoma. But reports of long-term recurrences and some possible aggressive behavior led to an upgrade on the latest WHO 4th edition of CNS tumors. The case of a 64-year-old female patient is reported in this paper. More than 30 cases of this lately recognized pathological entity have been reported to date. The diagnostic, radiological, and pathological features associated with this tumor are discussed through a literature review.

IL-1β, RAGE and FABP4: targeting the dynamic trio in metabolic inflammation and related pathologies

Within the past decade, inflammatory and lipid mediators, such as IL-1β, FABP4 and RAGE, have emerged as important contributors to metabolic dysfunction. As growing experimental and clinical evidence continues to tie obesity-induced chronic inflammation with dysregulated lipid, insulin signaling and related pathologies, IL-1β, FABP4 and RAGE each are being independently implicated as culprits in these events. There are also convincing data that molecular pathways driven by these molecules are interconnected in exacerbating metabolic consequences of obesity. This article highlights the roles of IL-1β, FABP4 and RAGE in normal physiology as well as focusing specifically on their contribution to inflammation, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Studies implicating the interconnection between these pathways, current and emerging therapeutics, and their use as potential biomarkers are also discussed. Evidence of impact of IL-1β, FABP4 and RAGE pathways on severity of metabolic dysfunction underlines the strong links between inflammatory events, lipid metabolism and insulin regulation, and offers new intriguing approaches for future therapies of obesity-driven pathologies.