Local control and overall survival in atypical meningioma: a retrospective study

Purpose: To evaluate local control and overall survival after primary surgery for patients with atypical meningiomas. Methods and Materials: From the Department of Pathology database, we identified 491 cases of meningioma treated at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1979 through 1995. Thirty-three were diagnosed with atypical meningioma. Eleven of the excluded patients had incomplete records, were lost to follow-up, or received treatment elsewhere. Of the 22 evaluable patients, 15 underwent gross total resection (GTR), 4 had a subtotal resection (STR), and 3 had a resection of unknown extent. Eight patients received radiation therapy (2 after initial resection and 6 after at least one recurrence). The median radiation dose was 5,400 cGy (range 3,500-5,940). The median age at presentation was 55.5 years, the male:female ratio was 14:8, and 19/22 patients had a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) ≥ 80. The independent variables analyzed for overall survival and local control were gender, KPS (≥ 80 vs. < 80), extent of surgery (GTR vs. STR or unknown extent of surgery), and postoperative radiation therapy. Results: Median survival was 10.6 years, with a median follow-up of 5.5 years (range 1.5-14.8). Eight of the 22 patients had local recurrence, including 2/15 with GTR, 3/4 with STR, and all 3 patients who underwent resection of unknown extent. At 10 years, patients with GTR had a higher local control rate than those who had either a STR or a resection of unknown extent (87% vs. 17%; p = 0.02). The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates for the entire group were 91% and 76%, respectively. Patients who had GTR had 5- and 10-year overall survival of 87% and 87%, respectively. Patients with STR or resection of unknown extent had 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of 100% and 75%, respectively. Conclusion: In patients with atypical meningiomas, gross total resection is associated with a lower recurrence rate than in subtotal resection