Meningioma | |
---|---|
Other names | Meningeal tumor[1] |
An MRI of the brain, demonstrating the appearance of a meningioma | |
Specialty | Neurosurgery, Neuro-oncology |
Symptoms | None, seizures, dementia, trouble talking, vision problems, one sided weakness[2] |
Usual onset | Adults[1] |
Types | WHO Grade 1, 2, or 3[1] |
Risk factors | Ionizing radiation, family history[3] |
Diagnostic method | Medical imaging[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Haemangiopericytoma, lymphoma, schwannoma, solitary fibrous tumour, metastasis[4] |
Treatment | Observation, surgery, radiation therapy[2] |
Medication | Anticonvulsants, corticosteroids[2] |
Prognosis | 95% ten year survival with complete removal[5] |
Frequency | c. 1 per 1,000 (US)[3] |
Meningioma, also known as meningeal tumor, is typically a slow-growing tumor that forms from the meninges, the membranous layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.[1] Symptoms depend on the location and occur as a result of the tumor pressing on nearby tissue.[3][6] Many cases never produce symptoms.[2] Occasionally seizures, dementia, trouble talking, vision problems, one sided weakness, or loss of bladder control may occur.[2]
Risk factors include exposure to ionizing radiation such as during radiation therapy, a family history of the condition, and neurofibromatosis type 2.[2][3] They appear to be able to form from a number of different types of cells including arachnoid cells.[1][2] Diagnosis is typically by medical imaging.[2]
If there are no symptoms, periodic observation may be all that is required.[2] Most cases that result in symptoms can be cured by surgery.[1] Following complete removal fewer than 20% recur.[2] If surgery is not possible or all the tumor cannot be removed, radiosurgery may be helpful.[2] Chemotherapy has not been found to be useful.[2] A small percentage grow rapidly and are associated with worse outcomes.[1]
About one per thousand people in the United States are currently affected.[3] Onset is usually in adults.[1] In this group they represent about 30% of brain tumors.[4] Women are affected about twice as often as men.[3] Meningiomas were reported as early as 1614 by Felix Plater.[7]