Anatomical localization of p53 mutated tumors: A radiographic study of human glioblastomas

Accumulating evidence has suggested that tumor location is linked to the genetic profile of gliomas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical characteristics of p53-mutated glioblastomas. We also sought to provide new insight into the possible niche locations of cells of glioblastoma origin. In order to accomplish this, preoperative magnetic resonance images from 163 patients with primary glioblastomas were retrospectively analyzed. All tumors were manually marked and registered to the standard space. Using the voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping approach, voxels exhibiting the strongest correlations with p53 mutants were identified. T-values of voxels that were greater than 95% of the permutations were factored into the results of the mapping analysis. Distinct anatomical characteristics between p53-mutated and wild-type glioblastomas were demonstrated using this approach. More specifically, we found that p53-mutated glioblastomas were preferentially located in the frontal lobe in the area surrounding the rostral extension of the lateral ventricles. The distinct anatomical characteristics of p53-mutated and wild-type glioblastomas provide further evidence that these gliomas arise from distinct niche locations.