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List of All Topics
Meningioma
Introduction
Meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. The majority of meningioma cases are noncancerous (benign), though rarely a meningioma can be cancerous (malignant).
Meningioma occurs most commonly in women. Most people develop meningioma as adults, after age 40. But meningioma can occur at any age, including childhood.
Even if a meningioma is benign, it isn't harmless. A meningioma can press on the brain and spinal cord, causing complications such as vision loss or paralysis. The signs and symptoms you experience depend on the size and location of the meningioma and what parts of the nervous system are affected. Meningioma treatment options include surgery and radiation, though sometimes immediate treatment isn't necessary.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of meningioma may include:
- Seizures.
- Headaches that worsen with time.
- Memory loss.
- Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurriness.
- Hearing loss.
- Weakness in your arms or legs.
Some people with a meningioma experience no signs and symptoms.
Causes
Meningioma occurs in the cells that make up the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord, forming a protective barrier. It isn't clear what causes meningioma to form. Doctors know that something alters some cells in your meninges to make them multiply out of control, leading to a meningioma tumor. But whether this occurs because of genes you inherit, things you're exposed to in your environment or a combination of both remains unknown. Doctors have, however, identified factors that may increase the risk of meningioma.
Treatment
The treatment you receive for meningioma depends on many factors, including the size of your meningioma, where it's located and how aggressive it's believed to be. Your doctor will also take into consideration your overall health and your goals for treatment.
No treatment
Not every person with meningioma needs to have their tumor removed. A small, slow-growing meningioma that isn't causing signs or symptoms may not require treatment.
If you choose not to undergo treatment for your meningioma, you'll likely have brain scans periodically to evaluate your meningioma and look for signs that it's growing. Your doctor creates a personalized follow-up schedule for you. For instance, you might undergo brain scans every three to six months for a year and then have scans done annually. If at any time your doctor determines your meningioma is growing and needs to be treated, you have several treatment options.
Surgery
If your meningioma causes signs and symptoms or shows signs that it's growing, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgeons work to remove the meningioma completely. But because meningioma may occur near many delicate structures, such as your brain, eyes and spinal cord, it isn't always possible to remove the entire tumor. In those cases, surgeons remove as much of the meningioma as possible.
Surgery may carry a chance of significant risks, including infection, bleeding, heart problems and blood clots. The specific risks of your surgery will depend on where your meningioma is located. For instance, surgery to remove meningioma that occurs around the optic nerve can lead to vision loss. Ask your surgeon about the specific risks of your surgery.
Radiation therapy
If your meningioma can't be completely removed, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy following surgery. The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy any remaining meningioma cells and reduce the chance that your meningioma may recur.
During radiation therapy, your health care team positions you on a table. A large radiation machine moves around you aiming a high-powered energy beam at precise points on your body to target the meningioma cells and leave your healthy cells unharmed. You typically undergo radiation therapy daily for five or six weeks.
Even though the meningioma cells are targeted, some healthy cells can be harmed by radiation therapy, leading to side effects. Possible side effects may include memory loss, stroke, vision loss and a risk of another tumor.
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a specific type of radiation treatment that aims several beams of powerful radiation at a very precise point. Rather than spread treatment out over several weeks, radiosurgery usually involves one treatment performed in one day in an outpatient setting. Contrary to its name, radiosurgery doesn't involve scalpels or incisions.
Information obtained from National Institute of Health