A single-center experience with linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiotherapy for meningiomas: hypofractionation and radiosurgery

Purpose Meningioma is a common type of benign tumor that can be managed in several ways, ranging from close observation, surgical resection, and various types of radiation. We present here results from a 10 year experience treating meningiomas with a hypofractionated approach. Materials and methods To define the rate of tumor control and factors associated with the relief of symptoms and radiation-related complications after radiosurgery and hypofractionated radiosurgery for patients with imaging-defined intracranial meningiomas. We reviewed the charts of 48 patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) from 2002 to 2018. A total of 37 (82%) patients had WHO Grade 1 disease, and 11 (22%) had Grade 2. Outcomes that were analyzed included local control rates and the rate and grade of any reported toxicity. Results Only 36 patients with 38 lesions, who underwent the follow-up regime, were enrolled in the retrospective analysis. The follow-up mean was 40 months (12–120 months). 25/34 patients had surgery before the radiotherapy. Sixteen underwent SRS with a median dose of 13, 5, and 20 received hypofractionated SBRT with a median dose of 26.9 (22-45 Gy) in median six fractions (5–13 fractions). Local control at 2 and 5 years for all patients was 90 and 70%, respectively. No patient suffered from toxicity > 2 CTC. 21/36 patients showed stable disease, while 8/36 patients showed partial Remission. 7/36 developed recurrent meningioma (five in-field), only one patient with grade 1 meningioma, in a median of 22 months (13–48 months). Conclusion SFRT was superior to SRS for local control in our analysis of Grade I meningiomas. This might be due to a tendency for higher EQD2 in the PTV with SFRT compared to SRS, which was reduced to avoid brain necrosis in large PTVs. Therefore, SFRT appears preferable for typical meningioma PTVs.