The simultaneous occurrence of multiple primary intracranial tumors has been reported previously. However, most of these tumors
arise after cranial radiotherapy or in association with familial tumor syndromes. Double tumors of different histologies that
are unrelated to radiotherapy or genetic disorders are very rare. We present a case of two primary intracranial tumors occurring
simultaneously at adjacent sites. Preoperative gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of these tumors revealed a single
continuous lesion. Postoperative histological examination revealed the presence of two distinct tumors, meningioma and glioblastoma
multiforme. To elucidate the mechanism of synchronous tumor formation, we performed immunohistochemical analysis of the proteins
involved in the receptor tyrosine kinase, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways. These analyses showed that platelet-derived growth
factor (PDGF) receptors-α and β were overexpressed in both tumors, thereby indicating the oncogenic effects of activated signaling
of these receptors. The PDGF-mediated paracrine system may induce one tumor from another.
Keywords Glioblastoma multiforme - Meningioma - Double tumors - Signal transduction pathways - p53