Antiestrogenic therapy of meningiomas--a pilot study.

Six patients with inoperable, nonoperative, or recurrent meningiomas were treated with the antiestrogenic agent tamoxifen (Nolvadex) during an 8-12-month period. Computer tomographic, scintigraphic, and clinical evidence of an unspecific tumor response was only encountered in one patient after 4 months of therapy with tamoxifen. The 2-year results did not indicate a favorable response to antiestrogenic treatment. The significance of sex-steroid receptors and their possible prognostic value in endocrine therapy of meningiomas is discussed.