High-dose radiation-induced meningiomas in elderly

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cerebral meningiomas are tumors arising from the meninges.
• Radiotherapy is a common treatment for various brain and skull base tumors.
• Understanding radiation-induced tumors is crucial for long-term patient safety.

Observation:

• The study reports two cases of cerebral meningiomas in elderly patients (over 65) who received high-dose radiotherapy for skull base tumors.
• These represent the first reported cases of radiation-induced meningiomas in this age group.
• Pathological and clinical characteristics of high-dose radio-induced meningiomas were analyzed.

Findings:

• Children are highly sensitive to developing radiation-induced meningiomas.
• Unlike low-dose meningiomas (male-dominant), high-dose induced tumors show a female predominance.
• These tumors frequently present as atypical and have a tendency to recur.
• A peak incidence for these tumors occurs in the third decade of life.

Implications:

• The findings highlight the long-term risks associated with high-dose radiotherapy, especially in younger populations.
• Awareness of these specific characteristics is important for early diagnosis and management of radio-induced meningiomas.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies for these rare tumors.