Clinical and histological features of multiple meningiomas compared with solitary meningiomas

Hongguang Huang1, Ralf Buhl, Heinz Hermann Hugo

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Neurological Research
|April 23, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Multiple meningiomas, often occurring in older females, present unique clinical features. Progesterone receptor (PR) expression and other markers can predict patient outcomes in these cases.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Intracranial meningiomas are common primary brain tumors.
  • Multiple meningiomas are rare, accounting for 8.6% of cases in this study.
  • No association with neurofibromatosis or spinal meningiomas was observed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with multiple intracranial meningiomas.
  • To identify prognostic markers for multiple meningiomas.
  • To compare the characteristics of multiple meningiomas with solitary ones.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 456 intracranial meningioma patients treated between 1991 and 2002.
  • Review of patient demographics, tumor histology, and treatment outcomes.
  • Analysis of progesterone receptor (PR) expression, p53 status, and MIB-1 labeling index (LI).

Main Results:

  • 39 patients (8.6%) had multiple meningiomas, with a mean age of 58 years and a female predominance (8.8:1).
  • Complete removal was achieved in 19 patients; 11 (28.2%) experienced recurrences.
  • Stronger PR expression was noted in multiple meningiomas compared to solitary ones; p53 and MIB-1 LI were similar.
  • PR, p53, and MIB-1 LI were valuable prognostic markers.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple meningiomas exhibit distinct clinical characteristics, including a strong female predilection.
  • Prognostic markers like PR expression are crucial for predicting outcomes in patients with multiple meningiomas.
  • The incidence of multiple meningiomas appears to be increasing in patients with recurrent disease.