Review of metastasis to meningiomas with case examples

Introduction

A tumor-to-tumor metastasis (TTM) is a rare metastatic process where a primary malignant tumor metastasizes to another tumor, most commonly a benign tumor such as a meningioma. Here, we present two recent cases of tumor-to-meningioma metastases (TMM) from our clinical practice and review of recent literature. The primary cancers were prostate and breast cancer, respectively.

Material and methods

We reviewed the electronic medical records of the two patients and conducted a literature review of TTM, focusing on biological mechanisms related to TMM.

Results

Our first patient, a man with a history of stable prostate cancer, underwent resection of two WHO grade 1 meningiomas, and the largest tumor was found to have TMM. Our second patient, a woman with progressive breast cancer, was operated for a WHO grade II meningioma, and the meningioma harbored breast cancer metastases. TMM is a rare occurrence, but breast cancer is a much more frequent cause than prostate cancer and we reviewed 50 cases. Only 15 of cases of TMM from prostate cancer have been described.

Discussion and conclusion

TMM is a rare phenomenon, but it is important to be aware of this as more and more patients live with cancer and meningiomas have a high prevalence, The possibility of TMM may impact not only both the surgical and oncological treatment but also surveillance of incidental meningiomas.