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
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