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Review
. 2021 Mar 21;9(3):319.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9030319.

Meningioma: A Review of Epidemiology, Pathology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Directions

Christian Ogasawara  1 , Brandon D Philbrick  2 , D Cory Adamson  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Meningioma: A Review of Epidemiology, Pathology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Directions

Christian Ogasawara et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumor, making up more than a third of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They are mostly benign tumors that can be observed or preferentially treated with gross total resection that provides good outcomes. Meningiomas with complicated histology or in compromising locations has proved to be a challenge in treating and predicting prognostic outcomes. Advances in genomics and molecular characteristics of meningiomas have uncovered potential use for more accurate grading and prediction of prognosis and recurrence. With the study and detection of genomic aberrancies, specific biologic targets are now being trialed for possible management of meningiomas that are not responsive to standard surgery and radiotherapy treatment. This review summarizes current epidemiology, etiology, molecular characteristics, diagnosis, treatments, and current treatment trials.

Keywords: benign; central nervous system; malignant; meningioma; tumor.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of non-malignant primary brain and other central nervous system (CNS) Tumors [1].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Magnetic resonance imaging of right sphenoid wing meningioma. (A) Sagittal T1. (B) Axial T2. (C) T1+gadolinium contrast.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary of recommended management of meningiomas. SRS, stereotactic radiosurgery; FRT, fractionated radiotherapy; GTR, gross total resection; STR, subtotal resection.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Summary of developing chemotherapy treatments.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Summary of immunotherapy treatments. Blockage of CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1 promotes an effective immune response against cancer cells.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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