What is meningioma?
A meningioma is a tumor that forms in the meninges, the protective layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. Although it does not start in the brain itself, it is often grouped with brain tumors because it can press on nearby brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels. Meningioma is the most common type of tumor found in the head. Most grow slowly and may not cause symptoms for many years, but some can lead to problems depending on their size and location. Meningiomas are diagnosed more often in women and are most common in older adults, though they can occur at any age.
At Penn Medicine, meningiomas are diagnosed and treated by specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, and neuro-oncology who have deep experience caring for both common and complex brain tumors.
Symptoms of meningioma
Some people have few or no symptoms until a meningioma grows large enough to affect nearby structures in the brain. Others may develop symptoms even when the tumor is small. Symptoms depend on the tumor’s location and how it affects surrounding brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels. In some cases, a meningioma may cause seizures, headaches, or changes in vision, smell, or hearing.
Common symptoms include:
- Changes in vision, such as double or blurry vision
- Headaches that worsen over time
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Memory problems
Causes of meningioma
It isn't clear what causes a meningioma. Doctors know that something alters some cells in your meninges to make them multiply out of control, leading to a meningioma tumor.
Diagnosis of meningioma
A meningioma can be difficult to diagnose because the tumor is often slow growing. Symptoms of a meningioma may also be subtle and mistaken for other health conditions or written off as normal signs of aging. If your care provider suspects a meningioma, they may refer you to a doctor who specializes in neurological conditions (neurologist).
To diagnose a meningioma, a neurologist or neurosurgeon will conduct a thorough neurological exam followed by an imaging test. In some cases, examination of a sample of the tumor (biopsy) may be needed to rule out other types of tumors and confirm a meningioma diagnosis.
Treating Meningioma
Meningioma treatment depends on many factors, including the size and location of the tumor, its rate of growth or aggressiveness, and your age and overall health. For most people, the first step is to monitor the tumor with periodic MRI scans. However, if symptoms are severe, then neurosurgeons will determine whether surgery is appropriate. In addition to traditional surgery, Penn Medicine’s neurosurgeons are well-versed in minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for removing specific skull base tumors. Alternatives to surgery include radiosurgery and radiation therapy. Penn Medicine also offers a unique surgery using a fluorescent dye that makes tumor cells glow to help ensure the entire tumor is removed.
After a meningioma is removed, physicians in the Penn Center for Personalized Diagnostics analyze the tumor for specific mutations that we may be able to treat with a targeted medication.
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