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Case Reports
. 2016 Mar;77(1):e62-5.
doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1571204.

Regression of Intracranial Meningioma during Treatment with α1-Adrenoceptor Blocker

Einar August Hoegestoel  1 , Jon Berg-Johnsen  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Regression of Intracranial Meningioma during Treatment with α1-Adrenoceptor Blocker

Einar August Hoegestoel et al. J Neurol Surg Rep. 2016 Mar.

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.

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Figures

Fig. 1
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
Fig. 2
The tumor volume measured from serial MRI. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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