A review of brain tumors in reptiles with the first report Glioblastoma Multiform with Primitive Neuronal Component in Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis vulpinus)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system. GBM with primitive neuronal component (GBM-PNC) is an aggressive variant identified in 0.5% of GBMs and recognized as a distinct histological pattern of glioblastoma Extracranial metastasis from GBM-PNC is a rare and challenging situation. In this study we report the morphological and immunohistochemical features of a case of glioblastoma with primitive neuronal component diagnosed in a 7-year-old male eastern fox snake (Pantherophis gloydi), along with a comprehensive literature review related to the occurrence of malignant tumors in reptiles. Symptoms included a prominent mass on the head, and involvement of the central nervous system. Diagnostic measures including hematological and serological examinations, RT-PCR, Nested-PCR, MRI and CT-SCAN were performed. And after death, Necropsy and pathology and immunohistochemistry study were performed. Based on clinical data, glioblastoma multiforme with primary neurological components was confirmed. The present case highlights the occurrence and severity of extensive axial skeletal metastases from GBM-PNC. Since there is no treatment protocol established for GBM-PNC and GBM-PNC has recently been shown to have more PNC clinical behavior with increased risk of CSF spread, so understanding the clinical, diagnostic and histopathological features of this tumor and determining similarities and Behavioral differences of this tumor in different species can be a big step towards understanding its nature and how to deal with it.