Author(s): Hall B.J.; Nevins E.J.; Mills S.; Brodbelt A.; Jenkinson M.D.; Chavredakis E.
Source: British Journal of Neurosurgery; 2018; vol. 32 (no. 1); p. 104
Publication Date: 2018
Publication Type(s): Conference Abstract
Abstract:Objectives: Haemangiopericytomas (HPC) are rare, malignant mes-enchymal tumours originating from capillary pericytes. Frequently difficult to distinguish from meningiomas, HPCs have a locally aggressive nature and frequently recur. Subjects: 17 patients had HPCs: 7 males and 10 females. Methods: Pathology records of all patients who underwent surgery at The Walton Centre between August 2000 and February 2016 were analysed to identify patients with HPCs. Individual imaging and case notes were then analysed retrospectively. Results: Median age at presentation was n= 48 (range 25-79). 15 intracranial and 2 spinal tumours were identified. Predominant symptoms were headache (41%), visual field disturbances (35%), changes in cognition, (25%) seizures (12%) and ataxia (12%). All 17 patients underwent surgery. Simpson’s grading was used to classify intracranial tumours: the series included 4 of Grade 1, 3 of Grade 2, 2 of Grade 3, 5 of Grade 4 and 2 Grade 5 tumours. 1 spinal tumour was biopsied and 1 de-bulked. 14 received postoperative radiother-apy.9 patients experienced no CNS recurrence, 2 patients experienced 1, and 3 patients experienced 2 episodes. The soonest recurrence occurred 12 months after initial therapy; the latest at 38 months. 6 patients had metastatic disease, ranging in location from bone (n=3), liver (n= 2), lungs (n=2), bowel (n=1) and pancreas (n=1). 8 patients had died at the time of data collection. Time from diagnosis to death ranged from 39 days to 14.3 years. No associations were found between either Simpson’s grade or radiotherapy and survival or recurrence. Conclusions: HPCs remain a rare tumour; often recurring and metastasising despite adjuvant radiotherapy. Late and widespread recurrence necessitates close monitoring on follow up.
Database: EMBASE