Meningioma pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Haytham Allaham, M.D. [2]
Overview
Meningioma arises from the arachnoid "cap" cells, which are normally involved in the protection of the central nervous system by forming a thick envelope of meninges around the brain and spinal cord.[1][2][3] The majority of meningiomas are benign. Development of meningioma is the result of multiple genetic mutations The majority of meningioma cases involve a deletion of the neurofibromatosis 2 gene located on chromosome 22. On gross pathology, a gray, well-circumscribed, dome-shaped mass is a characteristic finding of meningioma. On microscopic histopathological analysis, whorled appearance, calcification, and psammoma bodies are characteristic findings of meningioma.[4]
Pathogenesis
- Meningioma arises from the arachnoid "cap" cells, which are normally involved in the protection of the central nervous system by forming a thick envelope of meninges around the brain and spinal cord.[1]
- The majority of meningiomas are benign; however, a minority of cases may develop a malignant nature.
- The exact pathophysiology of meningioma depends on the histological subtype of the tumor.
- Meningioma may be located either intradural or extradural along the central nervous system.[5]
- Meningiomas are frequently found attached to the dura surrounding the brain tissue in several locations that include:[1]
- Frontaparietal region
- Brain convexity
- Sphenoid ridge
- Sella turcica
- Posterior fossa
- Olfactory groove
- Meckel's cave
- Tentorium cerebelli
- Cerebellopontine angle
- Confluence of sinuses
- Parafalcine region
- Meningiomas are commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 2 syndrome and Gorlin syndrome.[4]
- Meningiomas demonstrate estrogen and progesterone sensitivity and may grow during pregnancy.[3]
Genetics
- Development of meningioma is the result of multiple genetic mutations.[1]
- The majority of meningioma cases involve a deletion of the neurofibromatosis 2 gene located on chromosome 22.
- Other genes involved in the pathogenesis of meningioma include:
- Protein kinase AKT1 gene located on chromosome 14
- Meningioma 1 MN1 gene located on chromosome 22
- Phosphatase and tensin homolog PTEN gene located on chromosome 10
- SMO gene located on chromosome 6
Gross Pathology
- On gross pathology, a gray, well-circumscribed, dome-shaped mass is a characteristic finding of meningioma.[1]
Microscopic Pathology
- On microscopic histopathological analysis, whorled appearance, calcification, and psammoma bodies are characteristic findings of of meningioma.[4]
- The table below differentiates between the three main groups of meningioma according to WHO histological classification:[2][3][4]
Grade | Histologic features | Image |
---|---|---|
Benign (Grade I) meningioma |
||
Atypical (Grade II) meningioma |
Brain invasion, 4 or more mitosis/10 HPF, necrosis, increased cell count, high nucleus:cytoplasm ratio, increased nucleoli size, presence of sheeting |
|
Anaplastic (Grade III) meningioma |
20 or more mitoses/10 HPF, histology may be similar to carcinoma or sarcoma |
- Shown below is a series of microscopic images of different subtypes of meningioma:[4]
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Meningothelial meningioma with syncytial appearance and whorl formation
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Meningothelial meningioma with psammoma body
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Meningothelial meningioma with onion bulb formation
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Meningothelial meningioma on HPS stain
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Fibrous meningioma with spindle cells in parallel bundles
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Fibrous meingioma on EMA stain
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Transitional meningioma with coexisting lobular and fasicular growth patterns
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Psammomatous meningioma with numerous psammoma bodies
-
Angiomatous meningioma with hyalinized vessels
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Microcystic meningioma with cystic appearance and increased pleomorphism of the elongated cells
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Secretory meningioma with secretory granules
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Secretory meningioma with PAS stain positive secretory granules
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Chordoid meningioma with myxoid appearance
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Rhabdoid meningioma with abundant cytoplasm and cross-striations
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Meningioma. Wikipedia(2015) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningioma#cite_note-pmid7731706-9 Accessed on September, 25 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Meningioma. Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/brain-spinal/brain-and-spinal-tumours/meningioma/?region=mb September, 25 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Meningeoma. Radiopaedia(2015)http://radiopaedia.org/articles/meningioma Accessed on September, 25 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Meningioma. Libre Pathology(2015) http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/Meningioma#Quick_overview accessed on September, 25 2015
- ↑ Meningioma. Libre Pathology(2015) http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/Meningioma#Quick_overview Accessed on September, 25 2015
- ↑ Image courtesy of Dr Dharam Ramnani Radiopaedia(original file "here"). Creative Commons BY-SA-NC