Response of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with spinal cord metastasis to everolimus

Background: Brain subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) in patients with tuberous sclerosis have been reported to respond to everolimus.

Methods: A 15-year-old male patient with intractable seizures and multiple SEGAs of the brain developed leptomeningeal enhancement and multiple metastatic, histologically confirmed SEGAs of the spinal cord. He received daily everolimus at a dose of 3 mg/m2 for 6 weeks, which was then increased to 6 mg/m2.

Results: Magnetic resonance image of the brain and spine showed significant reduction in the size of SEGAs after 6 weeks of treatment. The patient has remained free of progression for 24 months. Additional benefits included: excellent seizure control, decrease in the size of cardiac rhabdomyomas, and improved quality of life.

Conclusions: We describe a rare case of metastatic SEGA, which was successfully treated with everolimus.