Role of HER-2/neu Overexpression and Clinical Features at Presentation as Predictive Factors in Meningiomas

Abstract

Prediction of outcome in patients with meningiomas remains a significant problem to date. We have evaluated the role of symptoms at presentation and overexpression of her-2/neu overexpression as independent prognostic factors in meningiomas. In a retrospective study on patients with biopsy-proven diagnosis of meningioma, her-2/neu overexpression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on paraffin-embedded specimens. An IHC score of > or =2+ was considered positive for overexpression. Two hundred thirty-seven patients thus identified between January 1986 and December 1999 included 149 females and 88 males, with a mean age of 63.44 years. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Incidence of meningiomas in females (62.8%) was significantly greater than in males. Focal neurodeficits, headache, and seizures (39.66%) were the most common presenting complaints and were not related to tumor behavior/outcome. Syncope at presentation was associated with a decreased survival, but this symptom constituted only 2.53% of the total, so reliable conclusions could not be drawn. Only 6 (2.53%) specimens revealed HER-2/neu overexpression by IHC. HER-2/neu overexpression is not a predictor of tumor behavior and has no role as a prognostic factor in meningiomas. Syncope as the clinical presentation at diagnosis may predict a poor outcome, but needs further investigation.