Meningioma and systemic lupus erythematosus: a matter of pure coincidence?

Abstract

To describe three cases of meningioma observed in a large cohort of 546 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) followed at our Department in the last 15 years. We identified three cases of meningioma among 181 patients with SLE who underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during their disease course (prevalence 1.65%). All three SLE cases were women with a disease onset at 47-, 18- and 42 -years-old, respectively. All patients presented neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms and had an incidental finding of a meningioma at brain MRI. One patient presented simultaneously a breast cancer. Only one patient had the surgical removal of the mass without improvement of her symptoms while in the other two patients, the removal was not indicated. The association between meningioma and SLE may be a pure coincidence. However, it draws our attention because its detection may represent a confounding factor in the setting of a NPSLE patient.

Primary Pulmonary Chordoid Meningioma

“…In the present case, the patient had SLE. The prevalence of meningioma in SLE patients has been reported to be 1.65%, which is higher than the rate of 0.5% in the general population [5]. The relationship between SLE and meningioma has been hypothesized to be rooted in hormonal influences, but this might be a pure coincidence.…”

Brain meningioma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Castellino et al reported three cases of meningioma with lupus erythematosus [8]. The prevalence of meningioma in patients with lupus erythematosus was 1.65% (3 among 181 patients).…”

“…Early detection and proper treatment of brain involvement in SLE with neuropsychiatric features might decisively influence prognosis. Few occurrences of brain meningioma in patients with SLE have been reported [7,8]. To the best of our knowledge, no SLE patients with brain meningioma have yet been reported from Eastern Asia.…”

Intracranial Pleomorphic Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, Associated to Systemic Lupus Erythematous: A Case Report

“…Imaginable pathogenic paths linking SLE and cancer include supposed links with medicaments used, patients treated with immunosuppressive or steroid agents, or prolactin and viral contacts, or post-transplantation suggests and toxicity of gamma knife radiosurgery may play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE in some patients. However, risk factors like immunosuppressant, steroid and hormones could be predisposing factors for the development of meningioma during adult life are well known [21].…”