Risk factors of meningioma

Abstract

Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumor and the most common intradural spinal tumor, representing approximately 35% of all central nervous system tumors. Meningiomas arise from arachnoidal cap cells of the leptomeninges and can originate anywhere arachnoidal cells are present. The various risk factors associated with meningioma occurrence have been investigated in many previous studies. Exposure to ionizing radiation is a well-known risk factor that increases the risk of meningioma. A previous well-known study reported a strong association between history of exposure to radiotherapy and risk of meningioma (relative risk, 9.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-25.7) among 10,834 patients treated with radiotherapy for tinea capitis between 1948 and 1960 in Israel. There have been studies reporting potential links between endogenous or exogenous hormone exposure and meningioma occurrence. Type 2 neurofibromatosis is a well-known genetic condition that is related to an elevated risk of meningioma development. Several reports have suggested a possible connection between head trauma and meningioma development. However, the results are not consistent. There have also been reports of a possible relationship between cell phone use and meningioma occurrence. However, most of these studies suffered from bias regarding the measurement of cell phone use. Thus, further prospective, large population study is required. There are several miscellaneous potential risk factors, including occupational chemical exposure, allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema, and family history of meningioma, which could potentially be connected with meningioma risk. This current update will review and discuss recent risk factors of meningioma development.