Role of external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of relapsing meningioma

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of relapsing meningiomas is not well established. Data of patients treated with radiotherapy for a relapsing meningioma were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint of the analysis. Local control and acute and late toxicity rates have been also reported. From April 1986 to February 2011, 37 patients with a diagnosis of recurrent meningioma were treated. Median age was 64 years (range 36–79). A total of 18, 10, 5 and 4 patients were affected by relapsing benign, atypical, malignant meningiomas and meningiosarcomas, respectively (WHO classification). Median dose was 60 Gy (range 46–66 Gy). The median follow-up was 42 months (range 3–300 months). OS at 1, 3, 5 and 8 years was 81, 55.6, 43.9 and 25.8 %, respectively (median OS 45 months). A strong statistical trend was observed toward better OS rates in patients treated with radiotherapy at first recurrence compared to those treated at the second (or more) recurrence (OS 50.5 vs. 30.8 %, p = 0.055). A statistical impact of the histology (WHO I vs. II, III and IV) on 5-year OS was also observed (OS 60 vs. 30 %, 0 and 0 %, p = 0.010). Radiotherapy has been well tolerated, with no G2-4 neurological toxicity (RTOG toxicity score). Conventional radiation therapy has an important role in multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of recurrence of meningiomas. The histological type and the timing of the radiotherapy are prognostic factors in terms of survival.