Meningeal Sarcomas

Meningeal sarcomas are rare tumors arising from the mesenchymal components of dura mater, adventitia of blood vessels, tela choridea, choroids plexus, and leptomeninges. This chapter reviews fibrosarcoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), leiomyosarcoma, meningeal sarcomatosis, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, and osteosarcoma. Primary meningeal sarcomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis when encountering an aggressive dural neoplasm in a patient of any age. Upon histologic confirmation of the diagnosis, radiographic staging and cytologic examination of the cerebrospinal fluid should be strongly considered. Multimodal treatment includes maximum feasible resection, involved field radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Although the clinical course of certain "well-differentiated" sarcomas has been favorable, survival in general is poor.