Meningioma

A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the membranes (lining) that cover the brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are benign (noncancerous) and slow-growing. But even when a brain tumor is noncancerous, it could still cause symptoms or need treatment based on its size and where it’s located. 

At Banner Health, our brain tumor teams are experienced in diagnosing and treating all types of meningiomas.

What is a meningioma?

Meningiomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor. Unlike many brain tumors, a meningioma does not start in brain tissue itself. Instead, it develops in the meninges, the layers of tissue around your brain and spinal cord.

Meningiomas can occur in different areas of the brain and spine. Some are found near important structures that control vision, hearing, movement or other functions. It’s rare for them to invade the actual brain tissue.

Because these tumors often grow slowly, many people have a meningioma for years before symptoms develop. Even though they are usually benign and grow slowly over years, they can press on the brain, nerves or blood vessels as they grow larger.

Meningioma symptoms

With meningioma, you may have no symptoms for a long time because it grows so slowly. These tumors are often spotted during scans for other health concerns. Symptoms can start when the tumor gets big enough to press on nearby structures.

Common symptoms include:

• Headaches: Head pain that can change over time or feel worse in the morning
• Vision changes: Blurriness, double vision or bulging eyes
• Hearing changes: Hearing loss or a ringing sound in one ear
• Seizures: Sudden episodes that cause convulsions
• Weakness: Loss of strength in your face, arms or legs
• Numbness: Loss of sensation on one side of your face or body
• Memory or personality changes: Trouble remembering, confusion or shifts in your personality

To have these symptoms evaluated, make an appointment with a Banner Health provider.

What causes meningioma?

Experts often don’t know what causes these tumors. You may develop one without a clear reason or risk factor. 

You could be at higher risk due to:

• Age: Your risk rises as you get older, especially after age 60
• Sex: Women are diagnosed with meningiomas more often than men, probably because of the influence of hormones
• Prior radiation exposure: Having radiation therapy to your head in childhood increases your risk
• Certain inherited conditions: Rare genetic disorders can raise your risk

How meningioma is diagnosed

Getting an accurate meningioma diagnosis can be hard because these tumors grow so slowly. 

Your workup may include:

• Neurological exam: Testing your vision, hearing, balance and reflexes
• MRI or CT: Checking the tumor with imaging scans 
• Biopsy: Removing a small tissue sample to examine it closely
• Tumor grading: Reviewing the cells under a microscope to get a better idea of how fast they might grow

Meningioma treatment options

Your care team will work with you to create a plan designed for your health needs and the specifics of your tumor. Treatment options range from simple observation to active medical therapies:

• Monitoring with imaging: Watching small or slow-growing tumors with regular scans and monitoring for symptoms
• Surgery: Removing as much of the tumor as possible
• Radiation therapy: Using strong energy beams to target cells and stop the tumor from growing
• Follow-up care: Visiting your doctor regularly to check to see if the tumor is growing or returning

When does a meningioma need treatment?

Not every tumor requires treatment right away. Your medical team reviews several factors to decide.

You probably need treatment for:

• Growth over time: Your imaging scans show that the tumor is getting bigger
• Symptoms: You have headaches, seizures or vision changes
• Location: The tumor is near structures like the brainstem, important nerves or major blood vessels
• Size: The tumor is starting to threaten nearby tissue
• Pressure: The tumor is pressing against your brain tissue, nerves or blood vessels

Expert meningioma care at Banner Health

Meningioma is often a slow-growing tumor but it can still affect brain function depending on where it is and how large it gets. At Banner Health, our specialists support you through every stage of your health journey with compassionate, advanced care. 

Our expert care includes:

• Personalized evaluation: We tailor your testing and care to your health needs
• Team-based treatment planning: Specialists work together to build your treatment plan
• Long-term imaging follow-up: Regular scans help catch any changes early
• Focus on function and quality of life: We help make sure you can do the things you want and need to do and connect you with rehab if needed

Wondering if you need an evaluation for a brain tumor? Request an appointment or find a neurology specialist at Banner Health today.

FAQs

Is meningioma cancer? 

No, most meningiomas are not cancer. Around 80% to 85% are benign. But some rare types can be malignant and grow quickly.

Do all meningiomas need treatment? 

No, you might not need treatment right away if your tumor is small and grows slowly. Your doctor may recommend monitoring with regular imaging scans.

What symptoms can a meningioma cause? 

Many tumors cause no symptoms at all. If they grow large, they can cause headaches, vision changes, hearing loss, weakness, numbness or memory issues.

Can a meningioma come back after treatment? 

Yes, these tumors can sometimes come back or regrow after they're treated. Your risk is lower if your surgeon can safely remove the entire tumor.

Is meningioma a type of brain tumor? 

Yes, it's classified as a primary brain tumor because it forms inside the skull. It's the most common type of primary brain tumor.

Related topics

• Brain tumors
• Types of brain tumors