The value of radiation therapy as an adjuvant to surgery in intracranial meningiomas

Our experience with benign and malignant intracranial meningiomas between 1970 and 1983 is reported. Fourteen cases were treated after surgery, 10 benign and four malignant, following complete or incomplete resection or recurrence after resection. Two of 10 benign meningiomas have recurred and one of the two has been controlled by reoperation. None of the malignant meningiomas have been cured, but disease-free intervals up to 4 years were noted. The mean radiation dose was 5,400 rad, given with complex fields and shrinking field technique with no major complications. Adjuvant radiation after resection of meningiomas results in frequent cure of benign meningioma and may extend the interval of recurrence in malignant variants.