Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) poses a significant health challenge as the most common primary malignancy of the adult central nervous system. Gender and age-related differences in GBM influence prognosis and treatment complexities. This multicenter retrospective study explores gender and age disparities in GBM patients, investigating their impact on occurrence and survival outcomes. Methods: This STROBE-compliant retrospective study involved GBM patients who received medical care in Guilan Province, Iran. Patients’ data, including age, gender, tumor location, and histopathological diagnosis date, was collected from medical records. Results: In a cohort of 164 GBM patients, the average age was 54 years, with higher prevalence in men (59.8%) as well as patients ≤60 years (64.6%). The tumor sites exhibited overlapping features in 68% of cases, with the frontal and temporal lobes being the most prevalent specific locations. The mean survival was 12.88 ± 14.14 months, one-year survival of 45%, with women showing higher one-year survival (60% vs. 40%) and longer mean survival (16.14 ± 17.35 vs. 10.75 ± 11.15 months). Patients ≤60 years had higher one-year survival (75% vs. 35%). In subgroup analysis, women had significantly higher survival rates in patients ≤60 years. However, among patients over 60, women exhibited a more significant reduction in survival rates, and no statistically significant difference was observed between males and females in this age group. Discussion: While the biological mechanisms behind gender disparities in GBM remain unclear, studies suggest the potential involvement of sex hormones. Age-related differences, in line with the prior research, highlight the complexity of managing older GBM patients. Conclusion: This study underscores age and gender disparities in GBM occurrence and prognosis, emphasizing the necessity for further investigations and innovative approaches to address the potential pathogenesis.

Abstract:Background and Importance: Primitive Neuro-Ectodermal Tumor (PNET) is a highly aggressive tumor composed of small round blue cells, mostly developing in children and young adults. Two subcategories of central and peripheral PNET have been discussed. Central nervous system (CNS) is the usual primary site where PNETs are found, while PNETs of peripheral nerves are uncommon. Ulnar nerve, in particular, is an extremely peculiar origin for PNET and to the best of our knowledge only few well-documented cases have been yet reported.Clinical Presentation: A 30-year-old male presented with progressive paresthesia of right hand’s little finger and painless swelling of right axillary. Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography showed a heterogeneous, high-signal, round mass within the right axillary fossa in proximity to the medial aspect of brachial plexus branches. Clinical and radiological study were unable for accurate diagnosis and surgical resection of the tumor was done. Pathology reported a small, round, blue cell tumor which immunohistochemistricaly was consistent with PNET.Conclusion: Although pPNET is not obviously the first differential diagnosis coming to mind when a rapidly growing mass in the axillary fossa arises from the peripheral nerves, but due to its highly malignant behavior, it is important to be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral nerve neoplasms.Running title: Primitive Neuro-Ectodermal Tumor of Ulnar NerveKeywords: Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, pPNET, Ulnar nerve

IntroductionEctopic pancreas tissue (EPT) or pancreatic heterotopia is a rarely observed congenital abnormality defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue in another organ without any anatomical or vascular connection to the pancreas. The term consists of the two Greek words ”hetero-” which means ”other” and ”-topia” which means ”site”, pointing out the unique location of pancreatic cells. EPT’s favored sites are the stomach, duodenum, colon, jejunum, and Meckel’s diverticula (1). The gallbladder is a highly infrequent location for EPT (2). Almost all cases are detected incidentally during the histopathological examination after cholecystectomy for other pathologies. The prevalence of EPT in the gastrointestinal tract varies from 0.6% to 13.7% in autopsy series and 0.2% in laparotomies (3, 4). Although the malignant transformation of this tissue is not frequently expected, pathologists must be aware of it to ensure no malignant pathology is present and prevent further misdiagnosis. In this study, we present a case of EPT that we found incidentally during the histopathological examination of the specimen from the gallbladder in a patient who underwent cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis.Case HistoryA 40-year-old male was referred to the emergency department for acute pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The pain was constant and initiated hours before and intensified when he had dinner. He also reported fever, anorexia, nausea, and one involuntary vomiting episode containing only stomach contents. Besides intellectual disability and epilepsy, patient’s medical history was unremarkable otherwise. He was on Valproate(200mg/D), Risperidone(1mg/BD) and Clonazepam(1mg/HS). He denied smoking and any recreational drug use. No allergies were reported. During the clinical examination, his vitals were slightly above normal ranges (Blood pressure: 115/70mmHg; Heart rate: 108bpm; Respiratory rate: 19 breaths/min; Temperature: 37.9°C; Oxygen saturation: 99% without supplemental oxygen). The palpation of the abdomen revealed tenderness in the right upper quadrant and a positive Murphy sign with no rebound tenderness or guarding. The laboratory evaluation was within normal range except for a WBC count of 10300, ESR of 32, and a 2+ CRP. Additionally, he underwent an ultrasonographic evaluation of the upper abdomen, reporting a thickened wall gallbladder containing multiple stones (measuring up to 8x10mm). The patient was scheduled for emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis. During surgery, the gallbladder was found to be gangrenous. The patient had a complicated postoperative period due to surgical wound infections and was hospitalized for a week to receive intravenous antibiotics; however, he did not report any delayed complications or symptoms after discharge.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a highly aggressive tumor and mostly develops in children and young adults. PNETs of peripheral nerves are uncommon. Ulnar nerve, in particular, is an extremely peculiar origin for PNET and to the best of our knowledge only few well-documented cases have been yet reported.