Meningioma

A thin layer of cells called the meninges protects your brain and spinal cord. When it’s damaged, your nervous system can be vulnerable to tumors called meningiomas.

Meningiomas are actually quite common, especially in older women. And while the word “tumor” sounds concerning, they aren’t cancerous. They are very slow-growing and usually don’t cause any noticeable symptoms right away. However, if left untreated, these benign tumors can make you very sick over time. We’re here to ensure that they don’t.

Although the exact cause of meningioma is unclear, our experts have seen an increased risk of developing the disease through:

• Genetics: some nervous system-related genetic disorders tend to increase the likelihood of developing meningioma, and women more commonly develop this kind of tumor
• Past injuries: in some cases, patients develop meningiomas in areas of the skull that were previously injured
• Radiation exposure: studies suggest that people who develop meningioma have often been exposed to radiation and are especially at risk if exposed during childhood

Because meningiomas grow slowly and are usually subtle, you might not experience any symptoms at all.

The most common symptoms of meningiomas include:

• Confusion
• Foggy vision
• Headaches
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Loss of balance
• Loss of memory
• Loss of smell
• Numbness
• Seizures
• Speech problems
• Weakness in arms or legs

You may not realize you have a meningioma until it’s grown to the point where you start to experience unexplained symptoms. Your family physician can perform a physical exam that may include symptom checking and reviewing your family history. If further testing is needed, you may be referred to a physician who specializes in neurology care.

Testing may include:

Biopsy

During this diagnostic procedure, a tissue sample will be removed from the suspicious area and closely examined to detect the presence of disease.

Brain Scans

An imaging exam gives your neurologist or neurosurgeon a clear visual of the affected area. These images help us understand if a tumor is present, where it’s located, how big it is and if it’s harmful. Common brain scans include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. In some instances, your specialist may suggest both types of scans.

Your doctor may simply recommend routine imaging tests to ensure the tumor doesn’t continue to grow. But if a more aggressive approach is needed, your physician may suggest one, or both, of these treatments:

Radiation Therapy

Often, radiation therapy is used in combination with surgery. It’s also sometimes used if the affected area isn’t accessible through surgery. If needed, your physician may recommend therapy that shrinks the meningioma or prevents it from continuing to grow.

Surgery

In a craniotomy procedure, your neurosurgeon will remove a tiny piece of skull and use a surgical device to take out all, or most, of the damaged area of your brain.