Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.

High-dose radiation-induced meningioma in children - case report and critical review of the literature.

Caroli E, Salvati M, Roperto R, D'Andrea G, Ferrante L

Department of Neurological Sciences -- Neurosurgery, Policlinico S. Andrea, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. manucarol2000@yahoo.it

OBJECT: High-dose radiation-induced meningiomas in children are a rare occurrence. We discuss the clinical data and the differences of these rare tumors from those of spontaneous counterpart and radiation-induced meningiomas of the adult population. CASE REPORT: We report a case of meningothelial meningioma, which occurred in a 9-year-old boy who underwent radiotherapy for a parieto-occipital cutaneous angioma. In addition, we collected 18 cases of high-dose radiation-induced meningiomas in children from a literature review with Medline. RESULTS: Radiation-induced meningiomas in children show a female predominance, a short latency period that seems to be related to the age at irradiation, and an aggressive behaviour. CONCLUSION: Exposure to the potentially carcinogenic effects of radiotherapy should be reserved only for tumors that demonstrate subsequent progression. A meticulous follow-up of patients treated with radiation therapy is mandatory.

Published 3 March 2005 in Zentralbl Neurochir, 66(1): 39-42.
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