Radt-38. dose escalated radiotherapy is associated with improved outcomes for high grade meningioma

Abstract BACKGROUND The optimal modern radiotherapy (RT) approach after surgery for atypical and malignant meningioma is unclear. We present results of dose-escalation. METHODS Consecutive patients with histopathologic grade 2 or 3 meningioma treated with RT were reviewed. A dose-escalation cohort [≥ 66Gy equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions using an a/b = 10 (EQD2)], was compared to a standard dose cohort (< 66Gy). Outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), local failure (LF) and radiation necrosis. RESULTS 118 patients (111 Grade 2, 94.1%) were identified; 54/118 (45.8%) received dose-escalation and 64/118 (54.2%) standard dose. Median follow-up was 45.4 months (IQR: 24.0 - 80.0 months) and median OS was 9.7 years (Q1: 4.6 years, Q3: not reached). All dose-escalated patients had residual disease vs. 65.6% in the standard dose cohort (p < 0.001). PFS at 3-, 4- and 5-years in the dose-escalated vs. standard dose cohort were 78.9%, 72.2% and 64.6% vs. 57.2%, 49.1% and 40.8%, respectively, (p = 0.030). On multivariable (MVA) analysis, dose-escalation (HR: 0.544,p = 0.042) was associated with improved PFS, whereas ≥ 2 surgeries (HR: 1.989, p = 0.035) and older age (HR: 1.035, p < 0.001) were associated with worse PFS. The cumulative risk of LF was reduced with dose-escalation (p = 0.016). MVA confirmed dose-escalation protective for LF (HR: 0.483, p = 0.019), whereas ≥ 2 surgeries prior to RT predicted for LF (HR: 2.145, p = 0.008). A trend was observed for improved CSS and OS in the dose-escalation cohort (p < 0.1). Seven patients (5.9%) developed symptomatic radiation necrosis (RN) with no significant difference between the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Dose-escalated radiotherapy with ≥ 66Gy for high grade meningioma is associated with improved local control and PFS with an acceptable risk of RN.