Meningioma is a type of tumor that occurs in the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord. It is usually slow-growing and can take years to develop symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose. Sometimes it can affect surrounding brain tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, causing disability or death.
Meningioma can occur in people of all ages, but it is most common in older people and women. Patients may have one or more meningiomas. Meningioma is generally divided into three grades based on the appearance of the tumor:
- Stage 1 is a slow-growing, benign tumor of the meninges that is more common than the other stages.
- Stage 2 is a tumor in the meninges that is abnormal and begins to grow more rapidly. Tumors at this stage can recur even after surgical removal.
- Stage 3 is a tumor in the meninges that is cancerous and can grow and spread to surrounding areas very quickly.
Symptoms of Meningioma
Symptoms will gradually appear depending on where in the brain the meningioma occurs. Some cases may occur in the spine, but this is relatively rare. The most common symptoms are headache, weakness in the hands or feet, and other symptoms may include:
- Feeling confused and drowsy
- Nausea, vomiting
- Behavior changes
- Vision changes, such as double or blurred vision
- Hearing loss or tinnitus, or speech problems
- Memory loss
- Loss of sense of smell
- Numbness or pain in the facial area
- Body twitches, convulsions
If the headache gets worse, becomes distressing or interferes with daily life, the patient should see a doctor for a diagnosis. However, if the headache occurs with seizures, changes in vision or memory, or occurs suddenly, the patient should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Causes of Meningioma
The exact cause of meningioma is still unknown, but it is thought to be due to an abnormality of chromosome 22, which may be a result of genetics from a family history of meningioma type 2 or breast cancer. In addition, there are risk factors that are thought to cause meningioma, such as radiation therapy to the head, progesterone hormone in women’s bodies, obesity or a high body mass index, women aged 30-70 years, etc.
Diagnosis of Meningioma
The tumor’s slow growth and symptoms often resemble common health problems seen in older adults, which can make it difficult to diagnose meningioma. If a patient is suspected of having a tumor, their doctor may refer them to a neurologist for further diagnosis using various methods, such as:
- A CT scan uses X-rays to create images of the brain.
- MRI can use radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create images of the internal structures of the brain and tumors in the meninges, but it provides higher resolution.
- Biopsy: In some cases, your doctor may take a sample of the patient’s tissue and send it to a laboratory for testing to confirm the diagnosis.
- Cerebral angiography (Cerebral Angiogram) is used to look at the blood vessels supplying the tumor or the effect of the tumor on blood flow in the brain, but is rarely used in patients.
Meningioma Treatment
Doctors treat meningioma based on several factors, including the size of the tumor, where it has formed, the rate at which it is growing, the patient’s age and overall health, and the goals of the treatment. If the tumor is small and has no symptoms, the patient may not need immediate treatment. Periodic brain scans will be needed to assess the tumor’s growth. Doctors will choose the right treatment for each patient if the tumor grows and shows symptoms, such as:
Surgery
Because meningioma often arises in the delicate structures of the brain and spinal cord, surgeons use this method to surgically remove as much of the tumor as possible. A craniotomy is often required to access the tumor and operate more easily. However, surgery can put patients at risk for infection, bleeding, or other symptoms specific to the surgical site, such as vision loss from surgery on a tumor near the optic nerve.
Radiation
High-energy radiation therapy helps destroy cancer cells or tumors that cannot be removed by surgery, shrinks the tumor, prevents tumor growth, and reduces the chance of tumor recurrence. There are several types that doctors consider using, such as coordinated radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, or proton therapy.
Use of medication
Chemotherapy may be used to treat grade 2 and 3 meningioma, and for grade 1 meningioma where surgery and radiation have not been successful, but is rarely used .
Alternative treatment
This may not completely eliminate the tumor, but it can help relieve post-treatment side effects and manage stress. Examples include acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, meditation, music therapy, and relaxation exercises.
Complications of Meningioma
In general, meningioma and its treatment methods can cause long-term complications, especially surgery or radiation therapy, which can cause patients to lose their memory, lack of concentration, change in behavior, and have seizures. In addition, patients who undergo surgery may experience other complications, especially in the elderly, such as infection, deep vein thrombosis, cerebral edema, hydrocephalus, decreased brain function, or death, etc.
Meningioma Prevention
Since the exact cause of meningioma is unknown, it is difficult to prevent the disease. However, if someone in your family has a history of meningioma, neurofibromatosis type 2, or breast cancer , you may want to talk to your doctor to understand your risk of meningioma.
In addition, you should choose to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and get enough rest. For those who have undergone head radiation and experience any abnormalities, you should inform your doctor and receive treatment immediately.
