Context: Meningiomas constitute about 13-26% of primary intracranial tumours. Although most of the meningiomas are benign grade I tumours, they show a recurrence rate of about 30%. Detection of morphologically benign and biologically aggressive meningiomas cannot be made by routine histology alone. Thus in the present study progesterone receptor was used as an adjuvant approach in the identification of these biologically aggressive meningiomas. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the histological grade and subtype of meningiomas and to correlate their expression with progesterone receptor in non-recurrent and recurrent tumors. Methods and Material: This was a prospective study conducted over a period of one year from July 2013 - June 2014 in the Department of Pathology, Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital, Coimbatore. Thirty cases of meningioma were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically and correlated with various clinicopathological parameters. Statistical analysis used: Correlation between the histopathological results and immunohistochemistry results were calculated by using chi-square tests and test of sample proportion. Results: Thirty cases of meningioma were included in the study all of which were grade I tumours. Mean age of all cases was 45 years. Females outnumbered males with Female: Male ratio of 2.7:1. Progesterone receptor positivity was seen in about 19 out of 30 cases (63.3%). Progesterone receptor immunoreactivity was higher in females (68%). Age, location of tumour and subtypes had no correlation with progesterone receptor status. Recurrence was noted in 23% of cases (7 out of 30 cases). The recurrence rate was found to be higher in males (25%). Progesterone expression was higher in nonrecurrent tumours (78%). Conclusions: The expression of progesterone receptor was associated with lesser recurrence and better prognosis. Progesterone receptor can be used along with other histological parameters for prognostication of meningiomas. Thus, in the grading of meningiomas, histopathological examination alone is not sufficient, ancillary tests with Progesterone receptor should be included for prognostication of meningiomas.

Keywords: Meningioma; Progesterone receptor; prognosis.