Sex steroid and growth factor profile of a meningioma associated with pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Increased growth of meningiomas during pregnancy as well as postpartum clinical regression of symptoms have been reported but remain poorly understood. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to these observations, including potential factors associated with pregnancy, could enable design of more effective adjuvant therapies.


METHODS
We describe the presentation of a meningioma during the immediate postpartum period. Serial imaging demonstrated subsequent rapid decrease in size of the tumour prior to any intervention. The lesion was resected, and the tissue was subjected to immunostaining for gene products associated with pregnancy, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor B (PDGFRB), fibroblastic growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR-2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human placental lactogen (hPL).


RESULTS
The lesion proved to be an atypical fibroblastic meningioma grade II (WHO). Immunostaining demonstrated significant staining for PR, PDGFRB, and FGFR-2. No specific staining for ER, EGFR, or hPL was identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Although clinical regression of meningioma following pregnancy is well-recognized, imaging data are much less abundant. This report provides clear clinical and imaging documentation of a meningioma associated with pregnancy. In addition, the growth factor profile of this tumour suggests the importance of PR, PDGFRB, and FGFR-2 as potential therapeutic targets.
Smith
Justin S
JS
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0112, USA.
Quiñones-Hinojosa
Alfredo
A
Harmon-Smith
Miranda
M
Bollen
Andrew W
AW
McDermott
Michael W
MW
D000328:Adult; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010928:Placental Lactogen / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000378:metabolism; D011859:Radiography; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*
D006133:Growth Substances; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D010928:Placental Lactogen; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C496353:FGFR2 protein, human; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2