CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Neurol Surg Rep 2021; 82(04): e38-e42
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735553
Case Report

Regression of Multiple Meningiomas after Discontinuation of Chronic Hormone Therapy: A Case Report

Maryam N. Shahin
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Stephen G. Bowden
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Nasser K. Yaghi
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Jacob H. Bagley
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Seunggu J. Han
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Elena V. Varlamov
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
2   Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Marjorie R. Grafe
3   Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
,
Justin S. Cetas
1   Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
4   Operative Care Division, Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon, United States
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

Introduction Meningiomas are more common in females and frequently express progesterone and estrogen receptors. Recent studies have revealed a high incidence of meningiomas in situations in which estrogen/progesterone levels are increased such as pregnancy, gender reassignment therapy, and fertility treatment. While the relationship remains unclear and controversial, these findings suggest exposure to high levels of endogenous or exogenous hormones may increase the risk of developing a meningioma.

Patients and Methods A 40-year-old female with a history of endometriosis treated with chronic progesterone therapy presented with a visual deficit and was found to have multiple meningiomas, which regressed after cessation of exogenous progesterone.

Conclusion A history of chronic hormone therapy should be included when evaluating patients diagnosed with meningiomas, particularly at a younger age and with multiple meningiomas. Cessation of exogenous progesterone resulting in regression of meningiomas suggests a direct action of progesterone on growth. Future studies are warranted to better elucidate this relationship.



Publication History

Received: 21 February 2020

Accepted: 28 October 2020

Article published online:
01 December 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
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