Meningioma

Date Updated: 03/04/2022

Overview

A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Although not technically a brain tumor, it is included in this category because it may compress or squeeze the adjacent brain, nerves and vessels. Meningioma is the most common type of tumor that forms in the head.

Most meningiomas grow very slowly, often over many years without causing symptoms. But sometimes, their effects on nearby brain tissue, nerves or vessels may cause serious disability.

Meningiomas occur more commonly in women and are often discovered at older ages, but they may occur at any age.

Because most meningiomas grow slowly, often without any significant signs and symptoms, they do not always require immediate treatment and may be monitored over time.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a meningioma typically begin gradually and may be very subtle at first. Depending on where in the brain or, rarely, spine the tumor is situated, signs and symptoms may include:

Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurriness
Headaches, especially those that are worse in the morning
Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
Memory loss
Loss of smell
Seizures
Weakness in your arms or legs
Language difficulty

When to see a doctor

Most signs and symptoms of a meningioma evolve slowly, but sometimes a meningioma requires emergency care.

Seek emergency care if you have:

Sudden onset of seizures
Sudden changes in vision or memory

Make an appointment to see your health care provider if you have persistent signs and symptoms that concern you, such as headaches that worsen over time.

In many cases, because meningiomas do not cause any noticeable signs or symptoms, they are only discovered as a result of imaging scans done for reasons that turn out to be unrelated to the tumor, such as a head injury, stroke or headaches.

Causes

It isn't clear what causes a meningioma. Doctors know that something alters some cells in your meninges to make them multiply out of control, leading to a meningioma tumor.

Whether this occurs because of genes you inherit, hormones (which may be related to the more frequent occurrence in women), the rare instance of prior exposure to radiation or other factors remains largely unknown. There is no solid evidence to support the belief that meningiomas occur because of cellphone use.

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. Some studies have also suggested a link between breast cancer and meningioma risk related to the role of hormones. Some research suggests that the use of oral birth control and hormone replacement therapy could raise the risk of meningioma growth.
An inherited nervous system disorder. The rare disorder neurofibromatosis 2 increases the risk of meningioma and other brain tumors.
Obesity. A high body mass index (BMI) is an established risk factor for many types of cancers, and a higher prevalence of meningiomas among obese people has been observed in several large studies. But the relationship between obesity and meningiomas is not clear.

Complications

A meningioma and its treatment, typically surgery and radiation therapy, can cause long-term complications, including:

Difficulty concentrating
Memory loss
Personality changes
Seizures
Weakness
Sensory changes
Language difficulty

Your provider can treat some complications and refer you to specialists to help you cope with other complications.

Diagnosis

A meningioma can be difficult to diagnose because the tumor is often slow growing. Symptoms of a meningioma may also be subtle and mistaken for other health conditions or written off as normal signs of aging.

If your provider suspects a meningioma, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in neurological conditions (neurologist).

To diagnose a meningioma, a neurologist will conduct a thorough neurological exam followed by an imaging test with contrast dye, such as:

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. CT scans take X-rays that create cross-sectional images of a full picture of your brain. Sometimes an iodine-based dye is used to make the picture easier to read.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With this imaging study, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the structures within your brain. MRI scans provide a more-detailed picture of the brain and meningiomas.

In some cases, examination of a sample of the tumor (biopsy) may be needed to rule out other types of tumors and confirm a meningioma diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment you receive for a meningioma depends on many factors, including:

The size and location of the meningioma
The rate of growth or aggressiveness of the tumor
Your age and overall health
Your goals for treatment

Wait-and-see approach

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 the plan is not to undergo treatment for meningioma, you'll likely have brain scans periodically to evaluate your meningioma and look for signs that it's growing.

If your provider determines the meningioma is growing and needs to be treated, you have several treatment options.

Surgery

If the meningioma causes signs and symptoms or shows signs that it's growing, your provider may recommend surgery.

Surgeons work to remove the meningioma completely. But because a meningioma may occur near many delicate structures in the brain or spinal cord, it isn't always possible to remove the entire tumor. In those cases, surgeons remove as much of the meningioma as possible.

The type of treatment, if any, you need after surgery depends on several factors.

If no visible tumor remains, then no further treatment may be necessary. However, you will have periodic follow-up scans.
If the tumor is benign and only a small piece remains, then your provider may recommend periodic follow-up scans only. In some cases, small leftover tumors may be treated with a form of radiation treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery.
If the tumor is atypical or malignant, you'll likely need radiation.

Surgery may pose 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 the meningioma can't be completely removed surgically, your provider may recommend radiation therapy following or instead of surgery.

The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy any remaining meningioma cells and reduce the chance that the meningioma may recur. Radiation therapy uses a large machine to aim high-powered energy beams at the tumor cells.

Advances in radiation therapy increase the dose of radiation to the meningioma while reducing radiation to healthy tissue. Radiation therapy options for meningiomas include:

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a type of radiation treatment that aims several beams of powerful radiation at a precise point. Contrary to its name, radiosurgery doesn't involve scalpels or incisions. Radiosurgery typically is done in an outpatient setting in a few hours. Radiosurgery may be an option for people with meningiomas that can't be removed with conventional surgery or for meningiomas that recur despite treatment.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), which delivers radiation in small fractions over time, such as one treatment a day for 30 days. This approach may be used for tumors too large for radiosurgery or those in an area that can't tolerate the high intensity of radiosurgery — such as near the optic nerve.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which uses computer software to modify the intensity of radiation directed at the meningioma site. This may be used for meningiomas located near sensitive brain structures or those with a complex shape.
Proton beam radiation, which uses radioactive protons precisely targeted at the tumor, reducing damage to the surrounding tissue.

Drugs

Drug therapy (chemotherapy) is rarely used to treat meningiomas, but it may be used in cases that don't respond to surgery and radiation.

There isn't a widely accepted chemotherapy approach to the treatment of meningiomas, but researchers are currently studying other targeted approaches.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine treatments aren't typically effective in the treatment of meningioma, but some may help provide relief from treatment side effects or help you cope with the stress of having a meningioma.

Alternative medicine therapies that may be helpful include:

Acupuncture
Hypnosis
Massage
Meditation
Music therapy
Relaxation exercises

Discuss options with your provider.

Coping and support

Being diagnosed with a meningioma can be overwhelming. As you come to terms with your diagnosis, your life can be turned upside down with visits to doctors and surgeons as you prepare for your treatment. To help you cope, try to:

Learn everything you can about meningiomas. Ask your health care team where you can get more information about meningiomas and your treatment options. Visit your local library and ask a librarian to help you track down reliable resources for more information, including online sources.

Write down your questions so that you'll remember to ask them at your next appointment with your provider. The more you know about your condition, the better prepared you'll be to make decisions about your treatment.
Build a support network. Having friends and family supporting you can be valuable. You may find it helps to have someone to talk to about your emotions. Other people who may provide support include social workers and psychologists — ask your provider for a referral if you feel that you need someone else to talk to. Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader.

Other people with meningiomas can offer a unique perspective, so consider joining a support group — whether it's in your community or online. Ask your health care team about brain tumor or meningioma support groups in your area, or contact the American Brain Tumor Association.
Take care of yourself. Try to stay healthy during your treatment by taking care of yourself. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and get moderate exercise daily if your provider allows it. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested.

Reduce stress in your life by focusing on what's important to you. These measures won't cure your meningioma, but they may help you feel better as you recover from surgery or help you to cope during radiation therapy.

Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary provider. If your provider suspects that you may have a brain tumor, such as a meningioma, you may be referred to specialists who treat brain disorders (neurologists and neurosurgeons).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, you're taking.
Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something you missed.
Write down questions to ask your provider.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your provider. For a meningioma, some basic questions to ask your provider include:

Is my meningioma cancerous?
How large is my meningioma?
Is my meningioma growing? How quickly?
What treatments do you recommend?
Do I need treatment now, or is it better to take a wait-and-see approach?
What are the potential complications of each treatment?
Are there long-term complications I should know about?
Should I seek a second opinion? Can you recommend another provider or hospital that has experience in treating meningiomas?
Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
Do I need to make a decision about treatment right away? How long can I wait?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have as well.