Regression of Intracranial Meningioma during Treatment with α1-Adrenoceptor Blocker

Abstract

Background Regression of meningioma has been reported after hemorrhage or hormonal withdrawal. Here, we report a case of an incidentally diagnosed meningioma that regressed in association with α1-adrenoceptor antagonist. Case report A 59-year old male patient with an incidentally diagnosed lateral sphenoid wing meningioma was followed with serial magnetic resonance imaging. The tumor with a maximum diameter of 43 mm showed progressive regression, and after 3 years the size was reduced to 22% of the initial volume. During follow-up the patient was treated with an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist (tamsulosin) for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Possible mechanisms are discussed, including our main hypothesis of reduced mitogenic effects through phospholipase C-signal transduction. Conclusion This is the first report of regression of an incidentally diagnosed meningioma associated with α1-adrenoceptor antagonist treatment.

Keywords: intracranial; meningioma; regression; α1-blocker.

Fig. 1

T1 weighted with gadolinium MRI findings in our patient. (A–C) At diagnosis (October, 2010) showing a right-sided typical sphenoid wing meningioma with a maximum diameter of 43 mm and an estimated tumor volume of 29.9 cm³. (D–F) After 12 months (October, 2011), the tumor volume was reduced to 14.8 cm³. (G–I) After 37 months (November, 2013), the tumor volume was reduced further to 6.7 cm³. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.

Fig. 2

The tumor volume measured from serial MRI. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.