Neuro-Oncology in Women: Clinical Considerations

Lauren Singer; Ditte Primdahl; Priya Kumthekar

doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2022.10.005

Neuro-Oncology in Women: Clinical Considerations

Neurol Clin. 2023 May;41(2):331-342. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2022.10.005. Epub 2023 Feb 14.

Authors

Lauren Singer¹, Ditte Primdahl², Priya Kumthekar²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Feinberg School of Medicine/Northwestern University, 675 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 20-100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: lauren.singer@nm.org.
² Department of Neurology, Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Feinberg School of Medicine/Northwestern University, 675 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 20-100, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

PMID: 37030961
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2022.10.005

Abstract

Sex differences play a large role in oncology. It has long been discussed that the incidence of different types of tumors varies by sex, and this holds in neuro-oncology. There are also profound survival sex differences, biologic factors, and treatment effects. This review aims to summarize some of the main sex differences observed in primary brain tumors and goes on to focus specifically on gliomas and meningiomas, as these are two commonly encountered primary brain tumors in clinical practice. Additionally, considerations unique to female individuals, including pregnancy and breastfeeding, are explored. This review sheds light on many of the unique attributes that must be considered when diagnosing and treating female patients with primary brain tumors in clinical practice.

Keywords: Glioma; Meningioma; Oncology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
Brain Neoplasms* / therapy
Female
Glioma* / pathology
Humans
Male
Medical Oncology
Meningeal Neoplasms*
Meningioma*