Hydroxyurea treatment of meningiomas: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To present a pilot study of hydroxyurea chemotherapy in the management of surgically difficult meningiomas.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Six patients were enrolled: five had symptomatic recurrent or residual WHO Grade I meningiomas and one had an unoperated anterior clinoidal meningioma.


METHODS
MRI volumetry before and after treatment, hematological state, progression to surgery.


RESULTS
Hydroxyurea was administered for 1 year, starting at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day. No tumors reduced in size on treatment and one continued to grow rapidly. Three remained stable. Full volumetry was unavailable on two patients. One patient was withdrawn from the study because of myelosuppression and underwent further surgery. Three experienced significant drug-related side effects. Two patients underwent further surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
From this small pilot study we conclude that although hydroxyurea may be associated with disease stabilization in some patients, it did not reduce tumor mass and it caused significant side effects in some of our subjects.
Weston
Gabriel J
GJ
Department of ENT, St. George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Gabrielweston@hotmail.com
Martin
Andrew J
AJ
Mufti
Ghulam J
GJ
Strong
Anthony J
AJ
Gleeson
Michael J
MJ