Pooled analysis of meningioma risk following treatment for childhood cancer

Meningioma is the most common subsequent neoplasm following cranial irradiation among survivors of childhood cancer, but there are uncertainties regarding the magnitude of the radiation dose-response association, potential modifiers of radiation risk, and the role of chemotherapy. A pooled analysis of four studies found that increasing radiation dose, especially among patients treated before age 10 years, was associated with increased risk of meningioma in survivors, persisting for 30 years after exposure. There also was an increased risk of meningioma in childhood cancer survivors who had received methotrexate.