Meningioma: not always a benign tumor. A review of advances in the treatment of meningiomas

CNS Oncol. 2021 Jun 1;10(2):CNS72. doi: 10.2217/cns-2021-0003. Epub 2021 May 21.

Abstract

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors. The majority of meningiomas are benign, but they can present different grades of dedifferentiation from grade I to grade III (anaplastic/malignant) that are associated with different outcomes. Radiological surveillance is a valid option for low-grade asymptomatic meningiomas. In other cases, the treatment is usually surgical, aimed at achieving a complete resection. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy is the gold standard for grade III, is debated for grade II and is not generally indicated for radically resected grade I meningiomas. The use of systemic treatments is not standardized. Here we report a review of the literature on the clinical, radiological and molecular characteristics of meningiomas, available treatment strategies and ongoing clinical trials.

Keywords: anaplastic; atypical; benign; clinical trials; malignant; meningioma; radiotherapy; stereotactic radiation; surgery; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningeal Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Meningioma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningioma* / therapy
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant