Radiation-induced meningiomas

Radiation-induced meningiomas are more frequently multiple and have a very long latency period. Meningiomas are a much more frequent complication of radiation exposure compared to sarcomas or gliomas.

Epidemiology

The exact incidence of radiation-induced meningiomas is unknown; one study had an incidence of 22% . There is an increasing incidence of developing meningiomas over time, unlike radiation-induced gliomas that have a stable/decreased incidence 5 years post-treatment . Radiation-induced meningiomas tend to occur in younger patients when compared to spontaneous meningiomas .

Pathology

There is a long latency between radiation exposure and diagnosis of radiation-induced meningiomas, on average ~35 years. They are more likely to be multiple, more aggressive, and have higher rates of recurrence than spontaneous meningiomas .

Etiology

Increased incidence of meningiomas has been documented in populations with radiation exposure that has come from therapeutic, diagnostic and environmental exposures :

• whole brain radiotherapy for childhood leukemia
• radiotherapy for tinea capitis
• whole mouth dental radiographs (increased risk in examinations performed pre-1945 when doses were higher)
• survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings

Siehe auch:

• Meningeom

und weiter:

• postradiogen
• atypical meningioma