Medication Summary
The use of antihormonal agents in treating meningiomas is in anecdotal reports. Medical treatment is reserved for atypical and malignant meningiomas as an adjunct to surgery, partially resected benign meningiomas, and recurrence of meningiomas after a surgical resection.
Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen hormone, has been reported in a handful of patients with refractory or unresectable meningiomas; in one study by De Monte, the use of this agent resulted in stabilization of 6 out of 9 cases. [23]
Estrogen receptor antagonists
Class Summary
Inhibit estrogen effects by competitively binding to the estrogen receptor.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Competitively binds to the estrogen receptor, producing a nuclear complex that decreases DNA synthesis and inhibits estrogen effects.
Progesterone antagonists
Class Summary
RU-486 has been used experimentally to treat this medical condition.
RU-486 (Mifepristone)
Used experimentally in patients with recurrent benign meningiomas; in one study, tumor regression was reported in 5 out of 14 patients.
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Meningioma of the orbit. Axial sequence on T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium that shows enhancing lesion of the orbit causing proptosis and en plaque invagination laterally around the temporal pole and medially above the ethmoid sinus.
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Meningioma of the optic nerve sheath. Coronal section of T1-weighted MRI of the orbits that shows a left orbital mass lesion occupying most of the orbital lumen, diffusely enhancing with gadolinium.