MENINGIOMA

MENINGEAL TUMOR,MENINGIOMA

• DEFINITION
  

A 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).

Meningiomas occur most commonly in women. Most people who develop a meningioma are adults. But a meningioma can occur at any age, including childhood.

A meningioma doesn't always require immediate treatment. A small meningioma that causes no significant signs and symptoms may be monitored over time for signs of growth. A meningioma that never grows may never require treatment.

• SYMPTOMS
  

Signs and symptoms of a meningioma typically begin gradually and may be very subtle at first. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurriness
• Headaches that worsen with time
• Hearing loss
• Memory loss
• Seizures
• Weakness in your arms or legs

When to see a doctor
Most signs and symptoms of a meningioma evolve slowly. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that concern you.

If you have a sudden onset of seizures or sudden changes in your vision or memory, call your doctor right away or go to your local emergency room for evaluation.

• CAUSES
  

Meningiomas occur 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 a 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.

• RISK FACTORS

Risk factors for a meningioma include:

• Radiation treatment. Radiation therapy that involves radiation to the head may increase the risk of a meningioma.
• Female hormones. Meningiomas are more common in women, leading doctors to believe that female hormones may play a role.
• An inherited nervous system disorder. The rare disorder neurofibromatosis type 2 increases the risk of meningioma and other brain tumors.

• TESTS

A meningioma may be detected on an imaging test, such as:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• X-ray

• TREATMENTS AND DRUG

The treatment you receive for a 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
Immediate treatment isn't necessary for everyone with a meningioma. 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 few months at first 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 a 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 and bleeding. The specific risks of your surgery will depend on where your meningioma is located. For instance, surgery to remove a 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. Radiation therapy uses a large machine to aim high-powered energy beams at the tumor cells.

Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a specific type of radiation treatment that aims several beams of powerful radiation at a very precise point. Contrary to its name, radiosurgery doesn't involve scalpels or incisions. Radiosurgery may be an option for people with meningiomas that can't be removed with conventional surgery or for meningiomas that recur despite treatment.