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What Is a Meningioma Brain Tumor?
A meningioma brain tumor is an abnormal growth which arises from the thin sheets of tissue, known as meninges, that enclose the spinal cord and brain. Usually, a meningioma is a benign tumor, meaning it is not cancerous and does not spread to other parts of the body. Occasionally, a meningioma can be a cancerous or malignant tumor, but this is very rare. In the early stages, a meningioma brain tumor may not cause any symptoms and no treatment may be required. If the brain tumor grows larger it may interfere with surrounding brain tissue, nerves or blood vessels and surgical removal may be necessary.
Mengingiomas may develop in any part of the brain or spinal canal. They occur more often in women and the chance of having a meningioma increases with age. Possible symptoms of a meningioma brain tumor can include seizures, headaches, visual disturbances and hearing difficulties. Weakness of a limb may be experienced in some cases, and there could be memory loss. The exact symptoms will vary depending on the precise location of the tumor and any area of the brain which is affected.
Treatment of a meningioma brain tumor depends on the size of the growth, whether it is causing any symptoms and how quickly it is enlarging. Sometimes the meningioma causes an increase in pressure inside the cranium, or skull, and this generally needs to be treated before carrying out any other procedures. When increased pressure is due to the tumor blocking the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain, a tube called a shunt may be used to allow accumulated fluid to drain away. If swelling has developed around the meningioma, and caused pressure to build up, steroid medication can be used to reduce this.
Surgery is the main form of treatment for a meningioma brain tumor. Whenever possible, the operation involves complete removal of the tumor. Occasionally the position of a meningioma may make it impossible to avoid leaving part of the tumor behind, or surgery may be too risky to attempt.
Another treatment, known as radiotherapy, is sometimes carried out to destroy any remaining tumor cells after surgery, or it may be used instead of a surgical procedure. Radiotherapy involves the use of high intensity beams of radiation targeted at the tumor. The outlook for a meningioma brain tumor will vary but it is usually excellent for tumors which can be completely surgically removed.
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![MRI is the preferred method for detecting and treating meningioma.]()
By: sudok1MRI is the preferred method for detecting and treating meningioma. -
![Radiotherapy, such as with a linear accelerator, might be used to help treat a meningioma brain tumor.]()
By: Alex TihonovRadiotherapy, such as with a linear accelerator, might be used to help treat a meningioma brain tumor. -
![Surgery is the main form of treatment for a meningioma brain tumor.]()
By: llhedgehogllSurgery is the main form of treatment for a meningioma brain tumor. -
![Mengingiomas may develop in any part of the brain.]()
By: rob3000Mengingiomas may develop in any part of the brain. -
![In some cases, meningioma surgery must be done under heavy anesthesia, with the neurosurgeon opening and exposing the brain.]()
By: WavebreakmediaMicroIn some cases, meningioma surgery must be done under heavy anesthesia, with the neurosurgeon opening and exposing the brain.
Discussion Comments
@usa1992: Mama's cancer was way back in 1989 and praise God, she is still cancer-free. My thyroid nodule was benign and I had the right lobe removed last year. So we're doing well. Thank you for asking. Glad I was able to help a little.
@AmyPollick: Thank you for your information, that has really made this report a lot clearer for me to understand. I have got my list of questions ready for the doctor when we see him so hopefully we will get all of our answers soon.
I hope you and your mom are much better now.
@usa1992: I am not a doctor, but I have read a lot of radiology reports from when my mom had breast cancer and I had a thyroid nodule. So, first and foremost, for a complete explanation, you need to talk to your mom's oncologist, who can fully explain both the report and the chance of recurrence to you.
As I read the report, there is no mention of any further malignant tissue or tumor leftovers, which would tell *me* that they got it all. According to a medical dictionary, encephalomalacia is softening of the brain tissue, and as I read the report, it means it's probably due to the surgery. Also, where it talks about incomplete visualization, it means the scanner didn't get a really clear look at a portion of her brain, and something the radiologist saw made him or her wonder if there had been a previous fracture (maybe a broken nose or something like that), and the attending doctor needed to check your mom's history for something along those lines.
However, *only* your mom's doctor is qualified to completely explain this report to you. Highlight the parts you have the most questions about, take a copy of it with you to your mom's next appointment and insist the doctor explain these terms and findings to you. Good luck to your mom.
My mum has a Meningioma brain tumor. She had surgery on it three months ago and she had a CT scan yesterday.
On the results of the CT scan it says, "The surgical changes of the previous left frontotemporal craniotomy are noted. The major left frontal bone flap has been replaced by overlying and relatively low density surgical material. A vascular clip is observed within the inferior aspect of the left temporal lobe near the margin of the middle cranial fossa.
There is postsurgical/post therapeutic encephalomalacia and gliosis involving portions of the lateral anterior left frontal and left temporal lobes. A low density focus is observed within the white matter at the left subcortical superior parietal region without enhancement. No abnormal enhancement is observed within the operative bed. The degree of vascular enhancement and vessel caliber elsewhere appears normal. Physiologic basal ganglia calcifications are incidentally noted. No visible intracranial hemorrhage, masses nor evidence of obstructive hydrocephalus are observed. The visualized paranasal sinuses and mastoids appear clear expect for incomplete visualization of soft tissue along the anterosuperior margin of the left maxillary sinus, possibly involving the orbital floor. This may represent a previous orbtial floor fracture. Historical correlation is, therefore, recommended."
Could some please explain to me what this result means? Can the tumor re-grow in the soft area in the brain where the blood cells have been lost?
Any information about this would be great.
Medical History: Tumor appeared in 2007. Surgery to remove tumor, 2007; Surgery to clean flap bone: 2007. Radiation therapy 30 days: 2009; tumor returns, 2012; Surgery to remove tumor: 2012.
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