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Meningiomas

Sean Grimm1, Jeffrey J Raizer

  • 1Jeffrey Raizer, MD Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall, Room 1123, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. jraizer@nmff.org.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|June 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Meningiomas, common brain tumors, are typically benign but can be malignant. Treatment ranges from surgery and radiation to chemotherapy for recurrent or aggressive tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Oncology
  • Neuropathology

Background:

  • Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors.
  • They arise from the dura mater and predominantly affect middle-aged to older adults, with higher incidence in women and African Americans.
  • While often benign, atypical and malignant variants necessitate tailored treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of meningioma epidemiology and pathology.
  • To outline the established and emerging treatment modalities for symptomatic meningiomas.
  • To discuss management strategies for recurrent or refractory disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of meningioma treatment and management.
  • Analysis of surgical resection, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy efficacy.
  • Exploration of novel therapeutic targets and agents.

Main Results:

  • Complete surgical resection is the preferred treatment for symptomatic meningiomas when feasible.
  • Radiation therapy is indicated for incompletely resected or high-grade tumors.
  • Recurrent or progressive lesions may be managed with systemic chemotherapy, though options are limited.

Conclusions:

  • Treatment decisions for meningiomas depend on tumor grade, location, and patient factors.
  • While surgery and radiation are mainstays, chemotherapy and investigational therapies are crucial for advanced or recurrent cases.
  • Ongoing research focuses on targeted therapies, including somatostatin receptor and signal transduction pathway inhibitors.

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