Content area
Abstract
Background
Radiation-induced meningiomas represent a late side effect of cranial radiation therapy. The most widely used diagnostic criteria, despite the lack of a standard description, is a meningioma that develops in a previously irradiated area following a predetermined time interval.
Case presentation
We present four cases of late-onset cranial atypical meningiomas following childhood cranial radiotherapy. Four patients (two females and two males) between 4 and 13 years of age at the time of cranial irradiation developed secondary intracranial meningioma after a latency period of 8–34 years. Surgical resection of the tumors was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a diagnosis of atypical meningioma in all four patients.
Conclusion
Radiation-induced tumors continue to be a significant side effect of radiotherapy and radiosurgery, and they are frequently identified as recurrent, numerous, and more aggressive. Prolonged follow-up should definitely not be ignored in patients with antecedents of radiotherapy for a primary cerebral tumor or cranial irradiation for an early age malignancy.