Meningiomas
Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment
A meningioma is a tumor in the protective lining of the brain or spinal cord. Most meningiomas are benign and slow growing. The exact cause of meningiomas is unknown.
When you call The Ben & Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment for a consultation, we make it a point to see you as soon as possible – within 24 hours if necessary. Surgeries to remove tumors are often done within a week of consultations, and pre-operative procedures can be done the same day as a consultation.
Symptoms of a Meningioma
Symptoms are caused by increased pressure within the skull, from blockage or inflammation. Symptoms may include:
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Headaches
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Vomiting
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Visual problems
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Changes in behavior
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Seizures
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Pain
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Loss of sensation or weakness in the arms and legs
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
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Slurred speech (if the tumor is on the left side of the brain)
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Loss of coordination and memory loss (if the tumor is in the temporal lobe)
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Difficulty writing (if the tumor is in the parietal lobe)
Diagnosing a Meningioma
Meningiomas are typically found through one of two imaging tests:
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MRI scan – a test that uses contrast dye and magnetic waves to make pictures of the inside of the body, in this case the head
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CT scan – a type of X-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the inside of the body, in this case the head
A biopsy reveals whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
Treating a Meningioma
Treatment will depend on the size and position of the tumor and whether it is benign or malignant, and may include some combination of:
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Surgery to remove the tumor, which can typically be performed without causing neurologic damage
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Embolization, where a catheter is inserted into blood vessels supplying the tumor to disrupt the flow of blood, causing it to shrink and making it easier to remove
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Radiation therapy to treat the tumor and stop its growth
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Chemotherapy, generally used in conjunction with surgery and radiation therapy