What Is a Meningioma?
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A meningioma is a type of tumor that grows from the thin membrane covering your brain or spinal cord (meninges).
Most meningiomas grow very slowly. However, when they get bigger, they can press on your brain, blood vessels, spinal cord, or nerves and cause problems. Meningiomas are the most common type of tumor that develops inside your head.
Are Meningiomas Cancer?
Meningiomas are almost always benign. Less than 2% of meningiomas are cancerous.
Meningioma Types
Experts classify meningiomas based on their location:
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Cavernous sinus meningiomas develop in a complex area of the skull base where blood drains from your brain and multiple cranial nerves exit the skull.
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Cerebellopontine angle meningiomas occur in the space between the part of your brain in the back of your head and your brainstem.
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Cerebral convexity meningiomas grow on the surface of your brain.
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Foramen magnum meningiomas develop at the base of the skull where your head attaches to your spine.
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Intraorbital meningiomas develop near your eye sockets.
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Intraventricular meningiomas form in the hollow spaces of your brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid.
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Olfactory groove meningiomas occur near the anterior skull base in the area where nerves connect your brain and nose.
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Parasagittal/falx meningiomas grow near the fold that separates the two sides of your brain.
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Petrous ridge meningiomas occur near part of your temporal bone.
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Posterior fossa meningiomas develop near the back of your brain.
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Sphenoid meningiomas form near one of the bones behind your eyes.
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Spinal meningiomas occur in your spine and can affect your spinal cord.
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Suprasellar meningiomas grow near the pituitary gland at the skull base, a small gland that produces hormones.
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Tentorium meningiomas develop in the area where your brainstem and brain connect.
Menigioma Grading
Experts also categorize meningiomas by how severe they are. This categorization is called grading:
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Grade 1 meningiomas are the slowest-growing and most common.
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Grade 2 meningiomas grow more quickly. They鈥檙e also more likely to come back after removal. Although they are still benign, additional treatments may be recommended after surgery.
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Grade 3 meningiomas are cancerous and fast-growing.
Meningioma Causes and Risk Factors
Experts don鈥檛 know exactly what causes meningiomas. Some factors may increase your risk of a meningioma:
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Age: Meningiomas are more likely in people 65 and older.
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Ethnicity: More African Americans have meningiomas than people of other ethnic groups in the United States.
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Genetic conditions: People with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are more likely to have meningiomas. NF2 is a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves.
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Hormones: Meningiomas are more common in people with higher levels of female hormones.
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Radiation exposure: Studies have shown that radiation can increase your risk of developing a meningioma.
Are Meningiomas Hereditary?
Meningiomas can be hereditary. Some meningiomas can develop due to hereditary (inherited) conditions like NF2.
Meningioma Symptoms
Many people have a meningioma for years with no symptoms. Larger meningiomas may cause several problems:
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Changes in your sense of smell
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Difficulty speaking
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Ringing in your ears or hearing loss
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Seizures
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Vision changes, such as blurry or double vision
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Weakness in your arms or legs
Make an appointment with your primary care provider if you notice new or worsening symptoms. They may refer you for a neurology or skull base surgery evaluation.
Seek emergency treatment if you experience seizures or sudden vision or memory changes.
"I had a brain tumor and I wanted to get it out. I had enough trust and faith in Rennert, and in God; I knew I would be fine...[Rennert] treats you like he cares, like you are important."
How Are Meningiomas Diagnosed?
Many people find out they have a meningioma when they get imaging for another reason. People with symptoms may go to a neurologist or skull base specialist for testing.
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MRI: A brain MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of your brain and skull. This test may also use contrast dye.
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CT scan: This test uses X-rays and special computers to look at your brain and skull. You may get a CT scan with contrast dye, which makes the image easier to read.
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Biopsy: A neurosurgeon may remove a small piece of tissue from the tumor for evaluation. A biopsy can help to confirm a diagnosis and determine the tumor grade.
Meningioma Treatment
Treatment for meningioma depends on several factors:
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How quickly the tumor is growing
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Location
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Tumor size
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Your age and overall health
Your neurosurgeon may recommend monitoring the tumor. You get regular imaging scans to check whether the tumor is growing. Sometimes, meningiomas stop growing on their own.
Meningioma Surgery
Your neurosurgeon may recommend surgery if the tumor is large, growing, or you have severe symptoms. Depending on the meningioma location, the entire tumor may be removed. For more complex skull base tumors, your surgeon removes as much of the tumor as safely possible without affecting the surrounding critical tissues.
At What Size Should a Meningioma Be Removed?
There鈥檚 no specific tumor size that means you need surgery for a meningioma. Some small meningiomas cause symptoms and require removal. However, larger meningiomas are more likely to require surgery.
Radiation Therapy for Meningioma
Some people need radiation therapy instead of or after meningioma surgery. Radiation therapy destroys tumor cells. It also lowers the risk of a meningioma coming back. Radiation therapy is sometimes recommended for higher grade tumors or for tumors that that come back after surgery.
You receive tailored radiation therapy. At 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频, we typically use stereotactic radiosurgery. This technique uses powerful, highly focused radiation beams. It targets tumor tissue precisely without affecting healthy tissue.
Meningioma Monitoring
Your neurosurgeon will likely recommend imaging every one to three years after meningioma treatment. These tests help us detect meningiomas quickly if they grow back.
Why Choose 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频?
Our team of tumor and skull base surgeons specializes in all types of meningiomas and complex/skull base tumors. We perform high volumes of complex cranial/skull base surgeries, which leads to better outcomes and lower complication rates. Our multidisciplinary approach means you will receive the best care possible.
Our Destination Care Program helps out-of-state patients get the information and services they need. We aim to deliver advanced, effective, compassionate care with everything we do.
Next Steps
If you believe you need an evaluation for a meningioma, you can make an appointment with one of our skull base tumor specialists. You don鈥檛 need a referral, but we recommend checking with your insurance first. Some insurance providers require referrals.
Meet Our Patients
U of U Heath Neurosurgeons Remove Montana Mother鈥檚 Complex Benign Brain Tumor
Stacey Hunter is grateful she chose U of U 人妻中出视频 and had the skilled hands of her neurosurgeon to remove her meningioma brain tumor.
