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Home » Meningioma

Meningioma

Meningioma is one of the most common forms of brain tumor which are generally benign in nature though on rare occasions it may get malignant also. These tumors can originate in any part of the brain or spinal cord, though most commonly they occur in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain that constitute four lobes. A Meningioma accounts for almost 1 in 5 of all primary brain tumors. The tumor is more likely to affect middle-aged or elderly adults and they are more common among women than men. In most cases Meningiomas are found on the brain surface, either at the base of the skull or over the convexity. In rare instances, these brain tumors may occur in intraventricular or intraosseous areas. A Meningioma arises from the meninges, which is a membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Depending on the location of Meningioma it grows slowly and reaches a rather large size before any symptoms are apparent. Some Meningiomas grow faster compared to the benign ones and may have abrupt growth spurts. The growth rate of a Meningioma cannot be predicted nor can one be certain of how long a particular tumor was growing prior to its diagnosis. Meningiomas generally occur in one site though in some cases several tumors may grow concurrently in various parts of the brain and spinal cord. In cases of multiple Meningiomas more than one type of treatment may be required. The symptoms of Meningioma may vary and appropriate treatment depends on where it is located. Some of the Meningioma symptoms include seizures, headaches, arm or leg weakness, or vision loss. Often patients have understated symptoms long before the diagnosis of Meningioma.

The various factors that predispose people into contracting Meningioma include exposure to radiation, and genetic disorders like neurofibromatosis. Some suggests the role of viruses in the cause of Meningioma, although this has not been substantiated at this point. The chances of recovering are mote positive in the younger patients than the older ones. Some of the tests used to diagnose the symptoms of this disease include enhanced CT and/or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. In cases of Meningioma an MRI scan is preferred though CT is useful in determining whether the tumor has invaded the bone, or how hard it has become. The survival rate is higher in case of Atypical Meningiomas followed by benign and malignant Meningioma.

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