Appointments & care

At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as the best Neurology & Neurosurgery hospital in the nation for 2014-2015 by U.S. News & World Report.

A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are noncancerous (benign), though rarely a meningioma may be cancerous (malignant). Some meningiomas are classified as atypical, meaning they're neither benign nor malignant but, rather, something in between.

Meningiomas occur most commonly in older women. But a meningioma can occur in males and at any age, including childhood.

A meningioma doesn't always require immediate treatment. A meningioma that causes no significant signs and symptoms may be monitored over time.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Signs and symptoms of a meningioma typically begin gradually and may be very subtle at first. Depending on where in the brain or, rarely, spine the tumor is situated, signs and symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurriness
• Headaches that worsen with time
• Hearing loss
• Memory loss
• Loss of smell
• Seizures
• Weakness in your arms or legs

When to see a doctor

Most signs and symptoms of a meningioma evolve slowly, but sometimes a meningioma requires emergency care.

Seek emergency care if you have:

• Sudden onset of seizures
• Sudden changes in your vision or memory

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that concern you, such as headaches that worsen over time.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

It isn't clear what causes a meningioma. Doctors know that something alters some cells in your meninges — the membranes that form a protective barrier around your brain and spinal cord — to make them multiply out of control, leading to a meningioma tumor. But whether this occurs because of genes you inherit, things you're exposed to in your environment, hormones or a combination of these factors remains unknown.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Appointments & care

At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.

A meningioma may be detected on an imaging test, such as:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. CT scans take X-rays that create cross-sectional images (like slices) of your brain and head. These images are combined together by a computer to create a full picture of your brain. Sometimes an iodine-based dye is used to augment the picture.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With this imaging study, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the structures within your brain. MRI scans provide a more detailed picture of the brain and meningiomas.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

A meningioma and its treatment, typically surgery and radiation therapy, can cause long-term complications, including:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Seizures

Your doctor can treat some complications and refer you to specialists to help you cope with other complications.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Alternative medicine treatments can't treat meningiomas, but some may help provide relief from treatment side effects or help you cope with the stress of having a meningioma.

Alternative medicine therapies that may be helpful include:

• Acupuncture
• Hypnosis
• Massage
• Meditation
• Music therapy
• Relaxation exercises

Discuss options with your doctor.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Being diagnosed with a meningioma can be overwhelming. As you come to terms with your diagnosis, your life can be turned upside down with visits to doctors and surgeons as you prepare for your treatment. To help you cope, try to:

• Learn everything you can about meningiomas. Ask your health care team where you can get more information about meningioma and your treatment options. Visit your local library and ask a librarian to help you track down reliable resources for more information, including online sources.

  Write down your questions so that you'll remember to ask them at your next appointment with your doctor. The more you know about your condition, the better prepared you'll be to make decisions about your treatment.

• Build a support network. Having friends and family supporting you can be valuable. You may find it helps to have someone to talk to about your emotions. Other people who may provide support include social workers and psychologists — ask your doctor for a referral if you feel that you need someone else to talk to. Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader.

  Other people with meningiomas can offer a unique perspective, so consider joining a support group — whether it's in your community or online. Ask your health care team about brain tumor or meningioma support groups in your area, or contact the American Brain Tumor Association.

• Take care of yourself. Try to stay healthy during your treatment for a meningioma by taking care of yourself. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and get moderate exercise daily if your doctor allows it. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested.

  Reduce stress in your life by focusing on what's important to you. These measures won't cure your meningioma, but they may help you feel better as you recover from surgery or help you to cope during radiation therapy.

Learn everything you can about meningiomas. Ask your health care team where you can get more information about meningioma and your treatment options. Visit your local library and ask a librarian to help you track down reliable resources for more information, including online sources.

Write down your questions so that you'll remember to ask them at your next appointment with your doctor. The more you know about your condition, the better prepared you'll be to make decisions about your treatment.

Build a support network. Having friends and family supporting you can be valuable. You may find it helps to have someone to talk to about your emotions. Other people who may provide support include social workers and psychologists — ask your doctor for a referral if you feel that you need someone else to talk to. Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader.

Other people with meningiomas can offer a unique perspective, so consider joining a support group — whether it's in your community or online. Ask your health care team about brain tumor or meningioma support groups in your area, or contact the American Brain Tumor Association.

Take care of yourself. Try to stay healthy during your treatment for a meningioma by taking care of yourself. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and get moderate exercise daily if your doctor allows it. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested.

Reduce stress in your life by focusing on what's important to you. These measures won't cure your meningioma, but they may help you feel better as you recover from surgery or help you to cope during radiation therapy.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors for a meningioma include:

• Radiation treatment. Radiation therapy that involves radiation to the head may increase the risk of a meningioma.
• Female hormones. Meningiomas are more common in women, leading doctors to believe that female hormones may play a role.
• An inherited nervous system disorder. The rare disorder neurofibromatosis type 2 increases the risk of meningioma and other brain tumors.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com