Haemangiopericytoma ‐ Queensland Radium Institute Experience and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

We report the presenting clinical characteristics, management, relapse patterns and survival of 17 patients with haemangiopericytoma treated at the Queensland Radium Institute, Australia from 1962 to 1989. Twelve patients were referred at the time of first diagnosis and were treated with curative intent. Three patients were treated with palliative intent when referred following initial diagnosis, and the remaining two patients were referred at the time of relapse. Disease was metastatic at presentation in 4 patients. Radiotherapy was used as a component of primary treatment of disease in 11 patients, in both patients referred for management of local relapse of haemangiopericytoma, and for palliation of metastatic disease developing in 3 patients. One patient received chemotherapy as part of initial treatment. Nine patients have died with survival from first treatment ranging from 3 to 139 months. All 8 surviving patients remain free of disease at 6 to 94 months from first treatment.

Multiple metastases from a meningeal hemangiopericytoma associated with severe hypoglycemia

“…[4][5][6][7][8][9] According to a review of the literature, whether primary or metastatic, hemangiopericytoma displays as a well-defined mass containing solid and cystic components and with extreme hypervascularity in the solid component. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Meningeal hemangiopericytoma is aggressive and tends to recur even after gross total resection. 9,11 Late extraneural metastases after a prolonged disease-free interval are common in the course of meningeal hemangiopericytoma.…”

“…This neoplasm may occur wherever capillaries are present, but it more commonly affects the soft tissues of the extremities, pelvis, and retroperitoneum. [4][5][6] In rare cases, hemangiopericytoma may arise from the gastrointestinal tract, meninges, or parotid gland. [7][8][9] Although meningeal hemangiopericytoma (M-HPC) was initially believed to be a meningioma variant (angioblastic meningioma, hemangiopericytic type), it is now recognized as a distinct pathologic entity with different clinical behavior, immunohistochemical characteristics, and ultrastructural features from those of meningioma.…”