Meningiomas are referred as brain tumours but they do not grow from brain tissue. These tumours arise from the meninges, which are three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.
Meningiomas are referred as brain tumours but they do not grow from brain tissue. These tumours arise from the meninges, which are three thin layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.
Meningiomas are often noncancerous (benign) but some may be cancerous (malignant) too. These tumours account for about one-thirds of all primary brain tumours and are most likely to be found in adults older than 60; the incidence appears to increase with age. Rarely are meningiomas found in children. They occur about twice as often in women as in men.
A meningioma that causes no significant signs and symptoms may not require immediate treatment. But it must be monitored over time.
Patients of meningioma may show very subtle signs and symptoms at initial stage as these tumours only grow very slowly, and may reach a large size before interfering with the normal functions of the brain. However, depending on its location in brain or, rarely, spine the physical signs and symptoms may include:
* Headaches (from meningioma in brain)
* Changes in vision; double or blurred vision
* Hearing loss
* Memory loss
* Loss of smell
* Seizures
* Weakness in arms or legs
Though it isn’t clear what exactly leads to development of a meningioma, it is believed that something alters some cells in your meninges, the membranes that form a protective barrier around your brain and spinal cord, 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, hormones or a combination of these factors remains unknown.
* Meningiomas account for about 36.1% of all primary brain tumours.
* They are common in adults older than 60 years.
* They occur about twice as often in women as in men.
* Children are rarely affected.
* Mostly meningiomas are noncancerous (benign) but at rare instances they can be cancerous (malignant) too.
* A small or slow-growing meningioma may not require treatment at all.
* Meningioma if diagnosed on time is treatable.
A meningioma may be detected through imaging test, such as computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which provides a detailed picture of the brain and meningiomas.
If diagnosed or detected, surgery and radiation are the most common forms of treatment for meningioma. Surgery is the primary treatment for meningioma, although some tumours may not be removed this way. Radiation therapy may be used to destroy tumours or cells that couldn’t be removed with surgery, or to reduce the chance that your meningioma may recur.
Careful observation is sometimes the best course of action for patients with meningioma. However, regular scans are recommended at regular intervals during this time. Any new or unusual symptom should be reported to your neurosurgeon at the earliest.