Meningioma Brain Tumor – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis

Meningiomas are rare tumors that form in one of three membranes that cover and protect your brain and spinal cord, typically without becoming cancerous over time. Most are benign (not cancer) and slow-growing.

Due to their slow progression, careful waiting with regular MRI scans can often be an effective strategy. UCLA neurosurgeons use the Novalis radiosurgery system to target radiation onto tumors precisely. The most important things to know about meningioma brain tumor are highlighted below. 

Symptoms

Meningioma brain tumors arise from cells within the arachnoid layer of meninges – three thin sheets covering the brain and spinal cord – forming part of their meninges covering. Meningiomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that may reach large sizes before producing symptoms; left untreated, they can compress brain tissue or nerves, leading to vision problems, weakness in arm/leg movement, headaches, and changes in mental functioning.

Symptoms may develop gradually and are frequently found by accident during routine MRI scans conducted for other reasons. When symptoms manifest themselves, they could be related to a tumor’s size and location.

Decisions on how best to treat meningiomas depend on several factors, including patient health, age, and treatment preferences. Meningiomas classified as grade I are usually benign and slow, while grade II tumors can be more difficult and, in some cases, may recur; when diagnosing brain tumors, neurosurgeons should recommend performing a biopsy of tissue from the area for examination by a neuropathologist in order to establish a diagnosis and classify as typical or atypical.

Diagnosis

Meningiomas form in the meninges – the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Though usually harmless and slow-growing, meningiomas may become larger over time if left untreated, placing pressure on nearby structures such as nerves and blood vessels.

Meningioma can often be diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This noninvasive test uses a large magnet, radio waves, and computer software to produce extremely clear images of organs and tissues inside your body.

An MRI brain biopsy may be necessary to confirm and assess the grade of a tumor, typically conducted by neurosurgeons using needle insertion into the skull to collect tumor tissue samples for examination by neuropathologists.

If surgical removal of a meningioma isn’t an option, radiation therapy may help shrink what remains and keep it from returning. This treatment often uses an instrument known as a cyberknife (gamma knife), although other forms of radiation therapy could also be administered.

Treatment

Your care team will develop a treatment plan based on the symptoms you’re experiencing and other factors, including the size and location of the tumor as well as its effect on quality of life and how quickly it’s growing.

Due to their benign and slow-growing characteristics, meningiomas often make good candidates for watchful waiting as an option for young patients or those who do not wish to undergo surgery. Our team will arrange regular MRI scans so as to keep an eye out for any changes.

Surgery is often the primary solution for meningiomas that have already begun causing symptoms or are expected to soon. Surgery offers an extremely high success rate and has proven life-changing for many patients. Our neurosurgeons use intraoperative MRI technology during procedures to guide their procedures more precisely while simultaneously decreasing anesthesia time and surgical accuracy.

Prognosis

Meningiomas are slow-growing, generally benign brain tumors that may press against vital structures and lead to symptoms like headaches, weakness, and vision loss. Surgery offers the best chance of curing this condition; however, it’s not always feasible. A surgeon must carefully remove the tumor without harming surrounding tissues – sometimes through the opening of the skull called craniotomy; enough tissue should also be extracted so a pathologist can accurately grade the type of tumor removed by them.

Due to possible side effects like brain bleeds, neurosurgeons will typically only attempt to remove meningiomas when it is safe. Medication may help alleviate pressure on the brain and alleviate symptoms.

People without symptoms may benefit from conservative management or surveillance; their doctor will monitor their condition with regular MRI scans.