The co-occurrence of benign brain tumors such as Vestibular Schwannoma and meningioma
with breast cancer has rarely been discussed in the literature. This case series highlights
two patients with large, symptomatic benign tumors: vestibular Schwannoma and the
other with a meningioma, both classified as WHO Grade 1 tumors. Both patients developed
breast cancer shortly after their surgeries. The objective of this study is to explore
potential links between these two conditions and discuss whether large, symptomatic
brain tumors could indicate an associated risk of developing breast cancer and perhaps
harboring Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
The first patient, a 34-year-old female, underwent resection of a left cerebellopontine
angle vestibular Schwannoma and was later diagnosed with breast cancer. Post-surgery
imaging showed no residual Schwannoma. After this diagnosis, the patient presented
with ER/PR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer, subsequently undergoing mastectomy
and chemotherapy. The second patient, a 49-year-old female, underwent resection of
a right middle fossa meningioma and later developed invasive ductal carcinoma of the
breast. Following the breast cancer diagnosis, she received adjuvant hormonal therapy.
Both tumors (vestibular Schwannoma and meningioma) were benign, but the patients’
subsequent development of breast cancer raises important questions regarding potential
correlations between benign brain tumors and breast cancer and the role of neurosurgeons
in informing patients about proceed with cancer screening testing.
There is growing interest in exploring the links between benign brain tumors, such
as Schwannomas and meningiomas, and breast cancer. Shared genetic pathways, particularly
the involvement of hormone receptors such as estrogen and progesterone, have been
proposed. Both Schwannomas and meningiomas are known to express hormone receptors,
which may contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer in patients with these
tumors. While larger studies are needed, this case series raises awareness of a possible
connection and suggests the need for closer surveillance of breast cancer risk in
patients with large symptomatic brain tumors.
These cases illustrate the need to further investigate potential associations between
benign brain tumors like vestibular Schwannomas and meningiomas and subsequent breast
cancer development. Genetic and hormonal factors may play a role in the shared pathophysiology,
and early breast cancer screening should be considered for patients diagnosed with
these brain tumors.
