A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the meninges. The meninges are layers of tissue that protect your brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors.

Most meningiomas grow slowly and are not cancer (Grade 1). But some are more aggressive and need specialized treatment and long-term monitoring.

Not always.

Most meningiomas are not cancer and grow slowly. But even a noncancerous tumor can cause symptoms or need treatment. This depends on its size and location. Some meningiomas are Grade 2 (atypical) or Grade 3 (anaplastic/malignant). These can be more aggressive and have a higher risk of coming back.

No.

Many meningiomas can be safely watched with regular imaging and checkups. In some cases, you may not need treatment for years, or ever.

The decision to treat depends on:

• Your tumor's size and location
• How fast it's growing
• Your symptoms
• Your tumor's grade
• Its molecular traits
• Your overall health and goals

For many people, careful observation can be a safe approach.

This is one of the most important decisions in meningioma care.

Our team looks at your imaging, symptoms, pathology, molecular test results and other factors. Then we help decide whether watching or treating your tumor is best.

We help you understand:

• Do I need treatment now?
• Can my tumor be watched safely?
• What are the risks of waiting?
• What signs mean I should consider treatment?

Knowing when to act often matters as much as knowing how to act.

We may recommend treatment when a tumor:

• Causes nervous system symptoms
• Keeps growing
• Threatens nearby nerves or important brain structures
• Comes back after treatment
• Shows higher-grade or aggressive traits

Every recommendation is made for you, based on your situation and goals.

Depending on your tumor, treatment may include:

• Active surveillance and monitoring
• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Radiation therapy
• A clinical trial
• Molecularly guided treatment
• New therapies for tumors that have come back or are advanced

Our team works closely with you to decide which approach is right.

No.

Some people can be safely monitored. Others may benefit from radiation therapy or a combination of treatments.

If we recommend surgery, our brain surgeons focus on removing as much tumor as safely possible. They also work to protect your brain function and quality of life.

Several factors impact this decision, including:

• The size of your tumor
• Where the tumor is
• Your symptoms
• Your age and overall health
• Any past treatments
• Your pathology and molecular test results

Our team reviews all these factors before making a plan for you.

Molecular testing looks at a tumor's genetic and biological traits.

This can help your doctors understand:

• How your tumor may act over time
• The risk of it returning
• Your long-term outlook
• Possible treatment options
• Whether you qualify for a clinical trial

As meningioma care becomes more personalized, molecular testing plays a bigger role in treatment planning for many people.

Not all meningiomas act the same way.

Two tumors that look similar on a scan may have very different biological traits. Advanced molecular analysis gives us information that helps personalize your treatment plan, monitoring plan and long-term care.

Getting these results matters. But having experts who can read them and apply them to your care is key as well.

A PET-CT with dotatate is an advanced imaging scan that can give us more information about certain meningiomas.

It may be used to:

• Show us the size of your tumor
• Check for a tumor that has come back
• Support treatment planning
• Clarify confusing imaging results

Our specialists decide when advanced imaging is right for you and how to use it in your care.

Getting advanced imaging is only part of the process.

Our neuroradiologists help decide:

• Which scans you need
• What the results mean
• How the results affect your treatment
• Whether you need more testing

Expert interpretation turns imaging results into clear guidance for you.

Many people want a second opinion after diagnosis or before they make treatment decisions.

A second opinion can help when:

• You're unsure if you need treatment
• Surgery has been recommended
• Your tumor has come back
• You have a Grade 2 or Grade 3 meningioma
• You want to explore clinical trial options

We often see people who want more expertise and a personalized treatment plan.

A meningioma that comes back may need a different approach than a new diagnosis.

Your treatment may involve:

• Repeat surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Molecular testing
• Advanced imaging
• Clinical trial opportunities
• A team review of your case

Our team can help support you through these situations and find the best next steps.

A specialized center offers more than access to treatment. Our team includes experts in:

• Brain surgery
• Neuro-oncology
• Radiation oncology
• Neuroradiology
• Neuropathology
• Molecular diagnostics
• Clinical research

Many doctors treat meningiomas. But complex cases often benefit from a highly specialized evaluation. This matters most for:

• Tumors at the base of the skull
• Meningiomas that have come back
• Grade 2 and Grade 3 tumors
• People considering a clinical trial
• Cases that need advanced imaging or molecular testing

Specialized expertise helps make sure your treatment plan is made for you, based on the latest advances in meningioma care.

No.

We may consider a clinical trial at different points during treatment. This is especially true for people with a tumor that has come back, or an atypical or malignant meningioma.

Our specialists help you understand if a clinical trial may be right for you and how it fits into your overall treatment plan.

Yes.

Living with a meningioma often involves more than managing the tumor. You may have concerns about your thinking skills, work, independence, emotional well-being and long-term quality of life.

We connect you and your family with:

• Rehabilitation services
• Neuropsychological support (help with thinking and memory concerns)
• Social work services
• Care coordination
• Educational resources
• Support groups and patient communities
• Survivorship resources (support after treatment ends)

Caring for you means caring beyond your tumor.

We welcome people looking for:

• Second opinions
• Specialized imaging review
• Pathology review
• Molecular testing
• Clinical trial evaluation
• Recommendations for a tumor that has come back

Many people come to us after having treatment somewhere else. They want more guidance on next steps and long-term care.

To schedule an appointment with the Meningioma Center of Excellence, call 312.695.4360 or complete our online appointment request form.

Our team can help connect you with the specialists and resources that fit your diagnosis and needs.

Yes. Our Hispanic Brain and Spine Tumor Program includes a group of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, clinical and administrative staff who all speak Spanish. This team helps meet your needs in your language with a warm, personal touch and an emphasis on your culture and family dynamics.