ABSTRACT
Although most meningiomas are benign and are treated with surgery alone, a few are
malignant and can be difficult to treat. These more aggressive tumors were first characterized
by their histology. With advances in molecular biology, we have learned a great deal
about the development of these tumors. Cytogenetic studies have shown that benign
meningiomas have mutations in chromosome 22. Further studies show that the NF2 gene, located on chromosome 22, is involved in meningioma formation. More aggressive
tumors have been shown to have several mutations in other chromosomes, including chromosome
1p, 14q, and 18q. Here, we review these findings and the candidate genes involved
in meningioma tumorigenesis.
KEYWORDS
Malignant meningioma -
NF2
- merlin -
DAL-1
-
ALPL