What is Meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumor that develops from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, or the meninges. A meningioma is not a brain tumor, but it can press on the adjacent brain, nerves, and vessels. Meningioma is the most common form of tumor that develops in the head.

Most meningiomas develop slowly. They can expand over many years without producing symptoms. But sometimes their effects on adjacent brain tissue, nerves, or vessels can lead to significant disability.

Meningiomas are more common in women. They're most frequently found at older ages. But they may occur at any age.

Because most meningiomas develop slowly and often without symptoms, they don't always require immediate treatment. Instead, they may be monitored over time.

What are the signs of Meningioma?

Signs of a meningioma usually start slowly. They might be difficult to detect initially. Signs may vary depending on where in the brain the meningioma is located. It may very rarely be in the spine.

Signs include:

• Changes in vision, such as double vision or blurring.
• Worsening morning headaches.
• Hearing loss or tinnitus.
• Failure of memory.
• Loss of smell.
• Seizures.
• Arm and leg weakness.
• Difficulty speaking.

What causes Meningioma?

The exact cause of meningioma is unknown. Experts believe that changes in certain cells of the meninges make them grow uncontrollably, leading to a meningioma.

Being exposed to radiation during childhood is the only environmental risk factor for developing meningioma that is known. There is no good evidence that meningiomas are caused by cellphone use.

What is the diagnosis for Meningioma?

A meningioma is sometimes difficult to diagnose since the tumor grows slowly. The symptoms of a meningioma can also be mild and attributed to other medical conditions or signs of aging.

Your healthcare provider might refer you to a physician who specializes in diseases of the brain and spine, a neurologist.

To diagnose a meningioma, a neurologist performs a complete neurological examination followed by an imaging test with contrast dye, including:

• CT scan: CT scans take X-rays that create cross-sectional images of a complete picture of the brain. Occasionally, an iodine-based dye is used to make the picture more readable.
• MRI scan: With this imaging test, a magnetic field and radio waves generate cross-sectional images of the brain structures. MRI scans give a better picture of the brain and meningiomas.

Occasionally, a tumor sample removed and taken to a lab for examination, known as a biopsy, may be necessary to eliminate other kinds of tumors and diagnose a meningioma.

What is the treatment for Meningioma?

Treatment for a meningioma varies depending on many factors, such as:

• The size and location of the meningioma.
• How fast is the tumor growing?
• Your age and general health.
• Your treatment goals.

Wait and see approach

Not all people with a meningioma require immediate treatment. A slow-growing, small meningioma that is not causing symptoms might not require treatment.

If the plan is not to have you treated for a meningioma, you may have brain scans from time to time to check on your meningioma and to see if it's enlarging.

If your doctor determines that the meningioma is enlarging and requires treatment, you have various treatment options.

Surgery

If the meningioma is causing symptoms or showing signs of enlargement, your health professional might recommend surgery.

Surgeons try to remove the whole meningioma. But since a meningioma can be close to delicate structures of the brain or spinal cord, it's not always possible to take out the whole tumor. Then surgeons take out as much of the meningioma as they can.

The kind of treatment you require after surgery, if any, depends on many factors.

If no visible tumor remains, no additional treatment will be required. But you will get follow-up scans periodically.

If the tumor is benign and only a small portion remains, your healthcare provider might recommend follow-up scans alone. Some small residual tumors can be treated with a type of radiation therapy known as stereotactic radiosurgery.

If your tumor is irregular or cancerous, you will likely need radiation. Surgery carries risks like infection and bleeding. The specific risks depend on the location of your meningioma. For example, removing a meningioma near the optic nerve may cause vision loss. Be sure to ask your surgeon about the risks associated with your surgery.

Radiation therapy

If doctors cannot remove the entire meningioma through surgery, they may recommend radiation therapy. This treatment could happen after surgery or instead of it.

The purpose of radiation therapy is to kill any remaining meningioma cells and decrease the likelihood that the meningioma will return. Radiation therapy employs a big machine to focus high-energy beams on the tumor cells.

Technological improvements increase the amount of radiation delivered to the meningioma and reduce it to healthy tissue. Radiation therapy types for meningiomas are:

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): SRS is a form of radiation therapy that delivers multiple beams of highly focused radiation to a single point. Notwithstanding its title, radiosurgery does not include the use of scalpels or incisions. Radiosurgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis in a matter of hours. Radiosurgery can be an option for individuals with meningiomas that cannot be surgically resected or with recurring meningiomas despite treatment.
• Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT): This delivers radiation in small fractions over time, such as one treatment each day for 30 days. This may be used in tumors that are too large for radiosurgery or in areas where radiosurgery is too intense, such as near the optic nerve.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This uses computer software to reduce radiation intensity in the meningioma area. This can be used for meningiomas near sensitive brain structures or those with a complex shape.
• Proton beam radiation: This employs radioactive protons directed directly to the tumor. This form reduces damage to the tissue surrounding the tumor.

Medicines

Medical treatment, or chemotherapy, is rarely used for meningiomas. But it can be used when the meningioma does not respond to surgery or radiation.

No commonly used chemotherapy method is used to treat meningiomas. But other targeted methods are being researched.

What are the risk factors for meningioma?

The risk factors for meningioma include:

• Age: Meningiomas are most common in adults over 65, and the risk increases as people get older.
• Sex: Women are about twice as likely as men to develop noncancerous meningiomas, possibly because of female hormones.
• Radiation exposure: Having had radiation to the head in the past may increase the risk.
• Race/Ethnicity: Meningiomas are more common in Black individuals in the United States.
• Genetic factors: Increased risk if you or a first-degree relative has conditions like Neurofibromatosis Type 2, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or Cowden syndrome.

What can I expect if I have a meningioma?

Keep in mind that no two individuals with meningioma are impacted equally. It is challenging to say how you will be impacted. The best you can do to find out is to consult with health care professionals specializing in the study and treatment of meningiomas. They will provide a more precise account of what to expect in your specific case.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Meningioma Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Meningioma treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced neurosurgeons and neuro-oncology specialists who provide accurate diagnosis and treatment options including tumor resection, radiosurgery, and radiation therapy procedures. Our Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology team has decades of experience in successfully treating Meningioma in Lucknow, India.

To seek an Expert Consultation for Meningioma Treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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