Meningioma

Summary from Mayo Clinic

Definition

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).

Meningioma occurs most commonly in women. Most people develop meningioma as adults, after age 40. But meningioma can occur at any age, including childhood.

Even if a meningioma is benign, it isn't harmless. A meningioma can press on the brain and spinal cord, causing complications such as vision loss or paralysis. The signs and symptoms you experience depend on the size and location of the meningioma and what parts of the nervous system are affected. Meningioma treatment options include surgery and radiation, though sometimes immediate treatment isn't necessary.

Treatments and drugs

The treatment you receive for 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
Not every person with meningioma needs to have their tumor removed. A small, slow-growing meningioma that isn't causing signs or symptoms may not require treatment.

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 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.

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.

Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a specific type of radiation treatment that aims several beams of powerful radiation at a very precise point. Rather than spread treatment out over several weeks, radiosurgery usually involves one treatment performed in one day in an outpatient setting. Contrary to its name, radiosurgery doesn't involve scalpels or incisions.