Association of breast cancer with meningioma: Report of a case and review of the literature

We report a case of meningioma subsequently developed in a patient with pri mary breast carcinoma. A 53-year-old woman received a left modified radical mastectomy because of stage IIA breast carcinoma. Histologically, the tumo r was a predominantly intraductal carcinoma with negative lymph node metast asis. Estrogen receptor (ER) was negative but progesterone receptor (PR) of the left tumor was positive by immunohistochemistry. Four years later, cra nial bone and/or brain metastasis was suspected from a routine follow-up bo ne scintigram. The patient showed no symptoms or signs at that time. Magnet ic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography revealed that the right parasagi ttal mass was suspicious of meningioma. A complete tumor removal was perfor med. On histological examination, this brain tumor was a transitional-type meningioma (meningotheliomatous and fibrous type) without malignant finding s. ER was negative but FIR was positive also in this tumor. She is currentl y well 6 years after the initial surgery. A review of the literature is pre sented with emphasis on the association between breast cancer and meningiom a, which indicates a possible hormonal relationship. The knowledge of this association is important in the differential diagnosis of patients with bre ast cancer who develop central nervous manifestations.