Overview

What Is Meningioma?

Understanding Meningioma

A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the meninges. The meninges are the layers of tissue that protect your brain and spinal cord.

Meningiomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors. Meningiomas are more common in adults.

Most meningiomas grow slowly and are not cancer (Grade 1). But some tumors grow faster, come back after treatment, or affect important parts of the brain and nervous system.

No two meningiomas are exactly alike. How a tumor acts depends on many things, including:

  • Where the tumor is
  • Its size and how fast it grows
  • Your symptoms
  • The tumor's grade
  • Its molecular and genetic traits (its makeup at the cell level)

Because these factors are different from person to person, your treatment plan should be made just for you.

Not Every Meningioma Requires Treatment

Many people are surprised to learn that not every meningioma needs treatment right away.

Some tumors are found by accident, during a scan done for a different reason. If the tumor is small, is not causing symptoms and is not growing, careful monitoring may be the best approach.

Other meningiomas may need treatment because they:

  • Cause nervous system symptoms
  • Keep growing over time
  • Affect important parts of the brain or spine
  • Come back after treatment
  • Show higher-grade or more aggressive traits

    • Knowing when to treat, and when it is safe to wait, is one of the most important parts of expert meningioma care.

    Understanding Meningioma Grades

    Grade 1 Meningioma

    Grade 1 meningiomas are the most common. They usually grow slowly. Many can be treated with observation, surgery or radiation therapy when needed.

    Grade 2 (Atypical) Meningioma

    Grade 2 meningiomas have a higher risk of coming back. They may need closer monitoring and more treatment.

    Grade 3 (Anaplastic or Malignant) Meningioma

    Grade 3 meningiomas are not very common. But they are very aggressive. These tumors often need a team treatment approach. Molecular testing and clinical trials may help.