Hemangiopericytoma of the skull base: A long-term complete response with trimodality treatment

Abstract

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumor originating from Zimmerman pericytes. It constitutes less than 1% of all intracranial tumors. Because of the high recurrence rates, radiotherapy (RT) is a vital step in the treatment, but the timing and dose remain uncertain. We presented a 39-year-old patient with a high-grade hemangiopericytoma located at the skull base. The patient presented with a severe headache. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass of size of 60 × 50 mm. A subtotal resection was performed that confirmed the diagnosis of HPC. The patient received 66 Gy postoperative RT. Adjuvant sunitinib treatment was initiated after RT. The complete regression was achieved in the third month after RT. The patient has a complete response for 25 months. To our knowledge, this case is one of the rare cases in the literature in which immediate RT and adjuvant chemotherapy were used in combination with surgery. Although HPC is a radio- and chemo-resistant disease, a trimodality treatment approach can provide the patients with a complete response. In particular, patients with high-grade and inoperable tumors and patients who undergo subtotal resection should be evaluated for trimodal therapy.