meningioma-hormones-menopause

Connection between meningioma & hormones/menopause?

I'm a 54-yr old female. I've had great health my entire life. My labs been perimenopausal for the last 3 years. My FSH has been 35-70, but I've continued to menstruate with some irregular periods.

Last December I had a seizure on R side. ER found a 2 cm meningioma in my L parietal lobe. It had a bleed event, and was removed by craniotomy Jan 10, 2011, WHO grade 1. Prescribed levetiracetam 500mg 2x daily. Incision on scalp has remained sensitive. Return to full function has been excellent.

In February I started my period 2 weeks early and it continued for 14 days. With onset, I immediately started having 6 hot flashes at night, with very emotional mood fluctuation which continued after period end. I asked for an ultrasound, and they found a 5 cm uterine tumor. CA-125 was negative, endometrial biopsy benign. Prescribed Prempro .625mg/2.5mg tab 28. for 3 months. Follow up with ultrasound to check tumor status end of June. Emotions stabilized & hot flashes stopped.

Periods have become irregular - prempro isn't controlling timing. Scalp incision area stopped being sensitive when I started on Prempro - except during menstruation, when it becomes sensitive. Also, small seizures recur only during menstruation.

I've asked family practice physician, neurosurgeon, neurologist & gynecologist about links, all say there is no relation between the two.

Questions/concerns: Is there a link between meningioma removal and menopause onset? Can Prempro cause uterine fibroid to grow? If meningioma was a hormone receptor does Prempro increase chance of meningioma recurrence? Brain tumor was not tested for hormone receptors.

Thanks for your consideration
RF

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

There have been retrospective studies reviewing the question of meningioma risk and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). One study found that there was an increased risk of meningioma development with HRT. Regarding meningioma and menopause, studies have suggested that there may not be a risk for or against meningioma development.

It is quite possible that you are undergoing the natural history of menopause which is not related to the meningioma.

You should discuss your concerns with your primary care physician.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.