Treatment of hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease with linear accelerator-based radiosurgery

Maladie de von Hippel-Lindau : progrès génétiques et cliniques récents

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a hereditary cancer syndrome that predisposes to the development of a panel of highly vascularized tumors including CNS and retinal hemangioblastomas, endolymphatic sac tumors, clear-cell renal cell carcinomas (RCC), pheochromocytomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. CNS hemangioblastomas and RCC are the two main life-threatening manifestations. The disease is caused by germline mutations in the VHL tumor-suppressor gene that plays a major role in regulating the oxygen-sensing pathway by targeting the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF for degradation in proteasome. Somatic inactivation of the VHL gene occurs also in most sporadic RCC and sporadic CNS hemangioblastomas. The demonstration of the critical role of VHL in angiogenesis is paving the way for the development of new specific drugs that could represent an attractive potential treatment for VHL but also for sporadic RCC and other cancers.

Hemangioblastomatosis of the central nervous system without von Hippel–Lindau Disease: a case report

We report a very rare case of hemangioblastomatosis in a patient without von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). A 50-year-old woman had a history of surgical procedures for total removal of a cerebellar hemangioblastoma (HB). Twenty-one years after the last operation, she developed communicating hydrocephalus; computed tomographic (CT) scans of the brain showed no recurrence of HB in the posterior fossa. Subsequently, she underwent placement of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. One year later, she was readmitted because of progressive numbness and pain in the left lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple Gd-enhancing tumors around the brain stem, in the cerebellum, and in the cervical and thoracolumbar regions of the spine. She underwent surgical removal of the tumors in the cerebellum and spinal cord. Although the extirpated tissues were histopathologically verified HB with less than 1% MIB-1 labeling index, surgery was followed by external beam radiation therapy with doses of 40 Gy to the whole brain, 10 Gy to the posterior fossa and 30 Gy to the whole spine. However, she subsequently developed quadriparesis and became bedridden.

Treatment options for von Hippel-Lindau's haemangioblastomatosis: the role of gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery

Haemangioblastomas secondary to von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease can be difficult to manage surgically, which has lead to an interest in the use of stereotactic radiosurgery. Retrospectively reviewed here are 30 tumours treated in 14 patients with a mean +/- SD follow-up of 34 +/- 24 months. During this time, three of the 14 patients (21%) died, two of generalized progressive disease. Before radiosurgery, the median time between interventions for cranial haemangioblastomas was 3 years (mean 3.9 +/- 5.0 years). After radiosurgery, the tendency for cranial disease progression was similar, 50% of patients developing further disease by 5 years. Local tumour control was achieved in the majority of cases and estimates of this are included. Radiosurgery is a useful palliative measure controlling the majority of haemangioblastomas, although its efficacy in these patients is limited by the tendency of further disease to develop or progress intracranially.

Gamma knife surgery for hemangioblastomas

OBJECT

The authors reviewed their 14-year experience using stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of hemangioblastomas and define the role and the proper strategy for radiosurgery of this condition.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 38 hemangioblastomas in 13 patients. Seven patients had von Hippel-Lindau disease. All patients have undergone at least one follow-up visit. The median and mean tumor volumes were 0.23 cm3 and 0.72 cm3 respectively (range 0.004::4.84 cm3). Twenty-eight tumors received 20 Gy to the margin, and the remainder received 18 Gy. The median clinical follow-up period was 36 months (range 3-159 months). No patient died. The survival rate was 84.6% (11 of 13 patients). The actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates were both 80.8%. The median radiological follow-up period was 35 months (range 7-147 months). Only one tumor increased in volume 24 months after treatment in association with an intratumoral hemorrhage. The tumor control rate was 97.4% (37 of 38 tumors). Actuarial 5- and 10-year control rates were both 96.2%. New lesions and/or those increasing in size outside the irradiated area were discovered in five patients (38.5%). Nine tumors revealed peritumoral contrast enhancement which was seen more frequently in larger tumors with a volume greater than 0.5 cm3 (p = 0.0034).

CONCLUSIONS

Gamma knife surgery is a safe and effective method to control hemangioblastomas for as many as 10 years. Higher doses and smaller tumors probably contribute to good outcomes. Recurrence outside the original irradiated area is common. Peritumoral contrast enhancement may be seen in larger tumors. The authors recommend regular imaging follow up and early repeated treatment in the face of new or growing tumors.

The long-term results of gamma knife radiosurgery for hemangioblastomas of the brain

Object. The authors assessed the long-term result of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for hemangioblastomas of the brain (HABs) and show histopathological findings after GKS.

Methods. Thirty-five patients, 28 men and seven women, with a mean age of 36 years underwent GKS. Eighteen patients presented with multiple tumors and 17 with a solitary tumor. Twenty-one patients had von Hippel—Lindau (VHL) disease. The mean tumor diameter was 13 mm (range 5–55 mm). The mean follow up after GKS was 66 months (range 24–114 months). The mean prescription dose was 17.2 Gy (range 12–24 Gy) at the tumor margin. For tumors close to or within the brainstem a prescription dose of 12 to 13 Gy was used.

At the most recent follow up, 29 patients were alive, six were dead, and satisfactory tumor control had been achieved in 29. A stable or improved neurological status was obtained in 21 patients. Eight patients underwent open surgery because of tumor-associated cyst enlargement or the development of new tumors after GKS. Seven patients developed new tumors and five of them required a second GKS. The 1-year tumor control rate was 94%; 2 years, 85%; 3 years, 82%; 4 years, 79%; and 5 years, 71%. Histopathology showed that no tumor cells were found and there was degeneration and necrosis in a tumor nodule 48 months after GKS with a prescription dose of 18 Gy.

Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery was a useful choice for small- or medium-sized, solid HAB in the long term, especially when the tumor margin dose was 18 Gy. Although GKS can treat multiple tumors in a single session, for HABs associated with VHL disease, GKS faces the dual problems of tumor recurrence or development of a new tumor.

Gamma knife surgery for hemangioblastomas

Object. The authors reviewed their 14-year experience using stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of hemangioblastomas and define the role and the proper strategy for radiosurgery of this condition.

Methods. This is a retrospective study of 38 hemangioblastomas in 13 patients. Seven patients had von Hippel—Lindau disease. All patients have undergone at least one follow-up visit. The median and mean tumor volumes were 0.23 cm3 and 0.72 cm3 respectively (range 0.004:4.84 cm3). Twenty-eight tumors received 20 Gy to the margin, and the remainder received 18 Gy. The median clinical follow-up period was 36 months (range 3–159 months).

No patient died. The survival rate was 84.6% (11 of 13 patients). The actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates were both 80.8%. The median radiological follow-up period was 35 months (range 7–147 months). Only one tumor increased in volume 24 months after treatment in association with an intratumoral hemorrhage. The tumor control rate was 97.4% (37 of 38 tumors). Actuarial 5- and 10-year control rates were both 96.2%. New lesions and/or those increasing in size outside the irradiated area were discovered in five patients (38.5%). Nine tumors revealed peritumoral contrast enhancement which was seen more frequently in larger tumors with a volume greater than 0.5 cm3 (p = 0.0034).

Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery is a safe and effective method to control hemangioblastomas for as many as 10 years. Higher doses and smaller tumors probably contribute to good outcomes. Recurrence outside the original irradiated area is common. Peritumoral contrast enhancement may be seen in larger tumors. The authors recommend regular imaging follow up and early repeated treatment in the face of new or growing tumors.

The long-term results of gamma knife radiosurgery for hemangioblastomas of the brain

Object. The authors assessed the long-term result of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for hemangioblastomas of the brain (HABs) and show histopathological findings after GKS.

Methods. Thirty-five patients, 28 men and seven women, with a mean age of 36 years underwent GKS. Eighteen patients presented with multiple tumors and 17 with a solitary tumor. Twenty-one patients had von Hippel—Lindau (VHL) disease. The mean tumor diameter was 13 mm (range 5–55 mm). The mean follow up after GKS was 66 months (range 24–114 months). The mean prescription dose was 17.2 Gy (range 12–24 Gy) at the tumor margin. For tumors close to or within the brainstem a prescription dose of 12 to 13 Gy was used.

At the most recent follow up, 29 patients were alive, six were dead, and satisfactory tumor control had been achieved in 29. A stable or improved neurological status was obtained in 21 patients. Eight patients underwent open surgery because of tumor-associated cyst enlargement or the development of new tumors after GKS. Seven patients developed new tumors and five of them required a second GKS. The 1-year tumor control rate was 94%; 2 years, 85%; 3 years, 82%; 4 years, 79%; and 5 years, 71%. Histopathology showed that no tumor cells were found and there was degeneration and necrosis in a tumor nodule 48 months after GKS with a prescription dose of 18 Gy.

Conclusions. Gamma knife surgery was a useful choice for small- or medium-sized, solid HAB in the long term, especially when the tumor margin dose was 18 Gy. Although GKS can treat multiple tumors in a single session, for HABs associated with VHL disease, GKS faces the dual problems of tumor recurrence or development of a new tumor.

Attenuation of vascularity by preoperative radiosurgery facilitates total removal of a hypervascular hemangioblastoma at the cerebello-pontine angle: case report

BACKGROUND

The surgical removal of solid, large, and deep-seated hemangioblastomas remains challenging because it is difficult to control bleeding during the procedure. We used preoperative radiosurgery in a solid, highly vascular hemangioblastoma at the left cerebello-pontine angle and present our angiographic, operative, and histologic findings.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 37-year-old paraplegic woman with multiple hemangioblastomas was re-admitted to our clinic with cerebellar ataxia 6 years after resection of a tumor at the fourth ventricle. A vertebral artery angiogram revealed that the 3.5 cm diameter hemangioblastoma at the left cerebello-pontine angle was highly vascular and fed by the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Nine months before surgical removal it was treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife, margin dose 28 Gy) to inhibit tumor progression and to reduce its vascularity. The tumor was totally removed via the left lateral suboccipital approach; bleeding was well controlled and there were no complications. Pathologic examination of the content of the excised tumor revealed coagulation necrosis with hyaline degeneration of the tumor vessels, resulting in a marked decrease in its vascularity.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative radiosurgery led to a marked reduction in the vascularity of this hypervascular hemangioblastoma and was useful for controlling bleeding from the tumor during resection. We succeeded to remove the vascular-rich hemangioblastma after the intentional preoperative radiosurgery. The pathologic changes induced by radiotherapy were confirmed by operative finding.

Treatment of Intramedullary Hemangioblastomas, with Special Attention to von Hippel-Lindau Disease

OBJECTIVE

Hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system are rare vascular tumors that can occur as sporadic lesions or as component tumors of autosomal dominant von Hippel-Lindau disease. With the availability of magnetic resonance imaging, asymptomatic tumors are detected more frequently, especially among patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease, and the questions of whether and when these lesions should be treated arise. To identify surgical outcomes and the timing of surgery for intramedullary hemangioblastomas, we retrospectively analyzed data for a series of 28 consecutive patients whom we surgically treated for intramedullary hemangioblastomas in the past 10 years.

METHODS

All tumors were completely removed. Functional grades, according to the McCormick scale, were determined before and after surgery and in follow-up assessments. Several clinical characteristics were correlated with changes in functional grades in follow-up assessments, compared with preoperative grades.

RESULTS

Functional grades in follow-up assessments improved for 28.6% of the patients and remained unchanged for 71.4%. No patient was in worse condition, compared with preoperative status. Peritumoral edema on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans was correlated with significantly higher surgical morbidity rates. Four asymptomatic patients were surgically treated because of tumor or pseudocyst progression on serial magnetic resonance imaging scans. All of those patients remained asymptomatic postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Intramedullary hemangioblastomas can be removed with low surgical morbidity rates and excellent long-term prognoses. The timing of surgery for patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and multiple lesions remains a matter of debate. On the basis of our data, we established the strategy of operating also on asymptomatic lesions that exhibit radiological progression, before significant neurological deficits occur, which are often not reversible.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for hemangiomas and ependymomas of the spinal cord

OBJECT

The optimal treatment for intramedullary spinal tumors is controversial, because both resection and conventional radiation therapy are associated with potential morbidity. Stereotactic radiosurgery can theoretically deliver highly conformal, high-dose radiation to surgically untreatable lesions while simultaneously mitigating radiation exposure to large portions of the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the authors' initial experience with frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for intramedullary spinal tumors.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2003, 10 intramedullary spinal tumors were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery at the authors' institution. Seven hemangioblastomas and three ependymomas were treated in four men and three women. These patients either had recurrent tumors, had undergone several previous surgeries, had medical contraindications to surgery, or had declined open resection. Conformal treatment planning delivered a prescribed dose of 1800 to 2500 cGy (mean 2100 cGy) to the lesions in one to three stages. No significant treatment-related complications have been recorded. The mean radiographic and clinical follow-up duration was 12 months (range 1-24 months). One ependymoma and two hemangioblastomas were smaller on follow-up neuroimaging. The remaining tumors were stable at the time of follow-up imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Stereotactic radiosurgery for intramedullary spinal tumors is feasible and safe in selected cases and may prove to be another therapeutic option for these challenging lesions.

von Hippel-Lindau disease

von Hippel-Lindau disease is a heritable multisystem cancer syndrome that is associated with a germline mutation of the VHL tumour suppressor gene on the short arm of chromosome 3. This disorder is not rare (about one in 36000 livebirths) and is inherited as a highly penetrant autosomal dominant trait (ie, with a high individual risk of disease). Affected individuals are at risk of developing various benign and malignant tumours of the central nervous system, kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and reproductive adnexal organs. Because of the complexities associated with management of the various types of tumours in this disease, treatment is multidisciplinary. We present an overview of the clinical aspects, management, and treatment options for von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Surgical management of brainstem hemangioblastomas in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease

OBJECT

Hemangioblastomas of the brainstem constitute 5 to 10% of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. At present, optimal management of brainstem hemangioblastomas associated with VHL disease is incompletely defined. In an attempt to clarify some of the uncertainty about the operative treatment of these lesions and its outcome, the authors reviewed all cases of VHL disease in which resection of brainstem hemangioblastomas was performed at the National Institutes of Health during a 10-year period.

METHODS

Twelve consecutive patients with VHL disease (six male and six female patients [mean age 31.7 +/- 9 years; range 15-46 years]) who underwent 13 operations to remove 17 brainstem hemangioblastomas were included in this study (mean follow-up period, 88.4 +/- 37.4 months; range 37-144 months). Serial examinations, hospital charts, magnetic resonance images, and operative records were reviewed. To evaluate clinical course, clinical grades were assigned to each patient before and after surgery. Preoperative neurological function was the best predictor of long-term outcome. In addition, patients who underwent CNS surgeries for hemangioblastomas were more likely to improve or to remain neurologically stable. Tumor or cyst size, the presence of a cyst, or the location of the tumor (intramedullary, extramedullary, or mixed; posterior medullary, obex, or lateral) did not affect outcome. No patient was neurologically worse after brainstem surgery. At long-term follow-up review (mean 88.4 months), only one patient had declined neurologically and this was due to the cumulative neurological effects caused by eight additional hemangioblastomas of the spinal cord and their surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Brainstem hemangioblastomas in patients with VHL disease can be removed safely; they generally should be resected when they become symptomatic or when the tumor has reached a size such that further growth will increase the risks associated with surgery, or in the presence of an enlarging cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging is usually sufficient for preoperative evaluation and presurgical embolization is unnecessary. The goal of surgery is complete resection of the lesion before the patient experiences a disabling neurological deficit.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease: gene to bedside

Von Hippel-Lindau is an autosomal dominant familial tumor syndrome with a risk of developing central nervous system and retinal hemangioblastomas, kidney cysts and clear cell carcinoma, cyst adenomas of other organs and pheochromocytoma. Despite continued elaboration of the neurobiologic role of the von Hippel-Lindau protein, the mainstay of management remains the definitive clinical diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (as distinct from sporadic cases of single von Hippel-Lindau-associated tumors), clinical monitoring and preemptive intervention by surgical or ablative therapy. Specific pharmacologic treatment awaits further biologic understanding of critical pathogenic components. Increasingly sensitive imaging and surgical techniques allow for optimum clinical management and intervention. This article will review von Hippel-Lindau molecular genetics, genotype-phenotype correlations and clinical classification, current understanding of the biology of the von Hippel-Lindau protein, its role in the pathophysiology of this disorder and the consequent implications for future therapeutic/interventional strategies. Central nervous system manifestations will be highlighted.

Clinicopathological study of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53, and proliferative potential in familial von Hippel-Lindau disease and sporadic hemangioblastomas

We examined the clinical characteristics and prognosis in six patients with familial von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and seven with sporadic hemangioblastomas. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53 protein, and proliferative potential with Ki67 monoclonal antibody (MIB-1) was compared using immunohistochemical methods between sporadic and VHL disease-associated hemangioblastomas. Patients with sporadic CNS hemangioblastomas were treated by total removal of the tumors, and they had a good long-term prognosis without neurological deficits on recurrence. However, patients with familial VHL disease often had multiple hemangioblastomas in the CNS and visceral tumors. Even if total removal of CNS hemangioblastomas in patients with VHL disease was performed initially, small multiple hemangioblastomas recurred during long-term follow-up in areas remote from the primary region resected by surgery. All of the hemangioblastomas displayed extensive overexpression of VEGF protein, with moderate to marked proliferation of blood vessels. The MIB-1 indices showed low values of 0.8% as the mean, with a range of 0.03%-2.1% for all the hemangioblastomas. None of the hemangioblastomas expressed p53 protein. The hemangioblastomas in patients with VHL disease were multiple in the CNS and were combined with visceral tumors. Patients with VHL disease had a poor long-term prognosis, in contrast to those with sporadic hemangioblastomas. The immunohistochemical findings for VEGF protein, p53 protein, and MIB-1 did not differ significantly between the sporadic and VHL disease-associated hemangioblastomas.

Juxtapapillary capillary hemangiomas. Clinical features and visual acuity outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features, association with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease and visual acuity outcomes of patients with a juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-two eyes of 68 patients identified with a juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma. Follow-up data of at least 6 months duration were available for 60 eyes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with a juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma examined at four medical centers.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age at diagnosis, visual acuity (VA) at first examination and at last follow-up, tumor growth pattern and location, associated clinical features, type of treatment, association with VHL, and presence of peripheral hemangiomas were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

On initial examination, VA was >/=20/40 in 43 of 70 eyes (61%) and was >/=20/200 in 60 eyes (86%). At an average follow-up of 5.4 years (range, 0.5-19 years), VA of >/=20/40 was achieved in 21 eyes (35%) and >/=20/200 in 33 eyes (55%). Patients with VHL had poorer initial VA (48% vs. 70% with VA >/=20/40, and 74% vs. 93% with VA >/=20/200) and final VA (26% vs. 41% with VA >/=20/40, and 39% vs. 65% with VA >/=20/200) compared with patients without VHL. Patients with VHL more commonly were seen at an earlier age (average, 20 vs. 44 years, P: < 0.001), with bilateral (17% vs. 0%), and/or peripheral (39% vs. 0%) (P: < 0.001) tumors that more often had an endophytic growth pattern (63% vs. 22%, P: = 0.001) compared with patients without VHL. Patients selected for laser treatment generally had poorer initial (52% vs. 74% with VA >/=20/40, 79% vs. 96% with VA >/=20/200) and final VAs (18% vs. 56% with VA >/=20/40, 45% vs. 67% with VA >/=20/200) compared with patients not treated with laser.

CONCLUSIONS

On long-term follow-up of patients with a juxtapapillary capillary hemangioma, the VA generally worsens. Patients with VHL and a juxtapapillary hemangioma more often present at a younger age, have tumors with an endophytic growth pattern, and have bilateral, multiple tumors. Treatment with laser photocoagulation results in variable VA outcomes.

Cryptic von Hippel-Lindau disease: germline mutations in patients with haemangioblastoma only

OBJECTIVES

Central nervous system haemangioblastoma (HAB) is a major feature of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, and it is estimated that about 30% of HAB patients have VHL disease. Consequently, it is widely recommended that sporadic HAB patients are screened for clinical and radiological features of VHL disease because of the risk of multiple tumours. We investigated the frequency of VHL germline mutations in patients with HAB only with no clinical or radiological evidence of VHL disease to define the role of molecular genetic analysis in the management of such patients.

METHODS

Eighty four patients with a single HAB (23 Dutch, 61 UK) and four with multiple HAB (two Dutch, two UK) were studied by direct sequencing of the coding region and quantitative Southern blotting.

RESULTS

A VHL germline mutation was found in three of 69 (4.3%) single HAB patients aged 50 years or less (three of 84 (3.6%) total single HAB patients). A germline VHL mutation was detected in a 44 year old woman with a solitary cerebellar HAB, as well as in four clinically unaffected close relatives, and in two single HAB cases presenting at the ages of 29 and 36 years. Germline VHL mutations were detected in two of four cases with multiple HAB.

CONCLUSIONS

Early detection of VHL disease is important to reduce morbidity and mortality and therefore we recommend that, in addition to conventional clinical and radiological investigations, VHL gene mutation analysis should be offered to all HAB patients younger than 50 years. HAB patients aged >50 years will have a lower a priori risk of VHL disease and further data are required to evaluate the role of routine molecular genetic investigations in late onset HAB cases. The failure to detect germline VHL mutations in some patients with multiple HAB may indicate the presence of somatic mosaicism or additional HAB susceptibility genes.