Incidental resolution of a radiation-induced cavernous hemangioma of the brain following the use of bevacizumab in a child with recurrent medulloblastoma

Abstract

Radiation-induced cavernous hemangiomas (RICH) are a known complication of radiation exposure, especially in young children. The current treatment approaches to these lesions include observation and surgical resection. We report the case of a 4-year-old male with recurrent medulloblastoma who had resolution of an incidental RICH lesion while being treated with bevacizumab for his recurrent brain tumor. There was no evidence of worsening hemorrhage with this therapy and the RICH did not recur upon discontinuation of the chemotherapy regimen. This is the first documented case of a RICH lesion responding to antiangiogenic therapy, suggesting the possible use of this class of agents in the treatment of symptomatic patients who are not considered appropriate candidates for surgical resection. Although the risk of bleeding must be taken into consideration, antiangiogenic therapies have the potential to be a novel treatment modality for symptomatic RICH lesions.