The Role of Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Higher-Grade Meningioma.

High-grade meningiomas (atypical and anaplastic/malignant) are at increased risk of recurrence following primary treatment with maximum safe surgical resection. Evidence based on several retrospective and prospective observational studies suggests an important role of radiation therapy (RT) in both adjuvant and salvage settings. At present, adjuvant RT is recommended for incompletely resected atypical meningiomas and anaplastic meningiomas irrespective of resection extent with disease control benefit. In completely resected atypical meningiomas, the role of adjuvant RT remains debatable but should be considered given the aggressive and resistant nature of recurrent disease. Randomized trials are currently underway and may guide optimal postoperative management.