Malignant Transformation of a Vestibular Schwannoma Following Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Introduction: Whether used in a primary or adjuvant fashion for treatment of brain neoplasms, external beam radiation therapy is associated with the development of secondary malignancy and malignant transformation of benign tumors. Radiosurgery is designed to minimize these risks by delivering a highly targeted, cytotoxic dose of radiation to the tumor. Nonetheless, there is a growing body of literature describing patients with malignant transformation of primary benign tumors after radiosurgery, including vestibular schwannoma (VS).