Be Aware That, Although Rare, Glioblastoma Can Spread Extracranially

By John Joseph Pack MD

Published on 05/10/2026

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain cancer in adults. Although rare, extracranial metastasis can occur in Glioblastoma, most commonly seeding bone (approx 48%), lung, lymph nodes, scalp, and liver. VP shunt and craniotomy increased risk of spread. Intracranial mets are often abutting surgical sites, suggesting iatrogenic seeding. Circulating tumor cells have been identified in the peripheral blood in approximately 20.6% of Glioblastoma patients, possibly suggesting that hematogenous spread is more common than known and possibly tampered by the overall short survival time of patients with Glioblastoma.

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