A meningioma is a tumor that develops from the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord, called meninges. It is the most common brain tumor in adults, accounting for more than one in five brain tumors and for one in ten tumors of the spinal cord and nerves. Meningiomas tend to affect women more than men and are most common in older adults.
Most meningiomas are considered benign because they grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. They can become quite large, and as they grow they compress nearby brain tissue. The cause of meningiomas is unknown. Some people with genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis, are at a higher risk to develop meningiomas. Also, studies have shown links between certain chromosomal abnormalities and radiation therapy with the development of meningiomas. However, more research is needed.
Any brain tumor, even if it is benign, can cause disability or be life threatening. Therefore it is important that meningiomas are closely monitored and treated as necessary.
Symptoms
Symptoms of meningioma depend on the location and size of the tumor. The most common symptom is seizure, but headaches and loss of brain function (sensory problems, loss of coordination, etc.) are also common. The symptoms are often related to compression of specific nerves or blood vessels. For example, if the tumor is near the nerve that controls the ability to smell, one may lose that sense.
Diagnosis
For most patients, imaging studies such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computerized tomography) scans are needed to detect meningiomas. In some cases, special MRI tests, such as high resolution MR-angiogram and MR-venography (MRV) can also help assess the tumor in more detail.
Treatment
Meningiomas usually grow slowly and may be treated at first with observation over time. For large meningiomas, surgical removal is usually the preferred treatment. Surgery is more successful for meningiomas than for other tumor types, although the outcome depends on the location and accessibility of the tumor. Radiosurgery has also been effective with meningiomas. Recurrent meningiomas, and the less common malignant meningiomas, may require radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has not been proven to be useful. However, there is continued research in this area. You can trust your surgical team to recommend the best course of treatment for your tumor.