Meningioma

What is a meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumor that forms in the meningeal membrane - the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord.

In a large percentage of clinical cases, it is benign, although there is also a malignant form. The diagnosis of meningioma is treatable.

It is more common in adults than in children - the average age of onset is 66 years. Statistically, meningioma is more common in women - scientists believe that this is due to hormonal factors. However, men are more often affected by the malignant form.

Since meningioma progresses slowly, it is asymptomatic in the early stages. Symptoms appear when it increases in size and presses on surrounding structures. Symptoms are individual and depend on which area of the brain is damaged.

The most common symptoms of meningioma of the brain are:

• Headache;

• Dizziness;

• Nausea and vomiting;

• Blurred vision, vision loss;

• Hearing loss;

• Seizures;

• Behavioral or personality changes;

• Memory problems;

• Hyperreflexia;

• Muscle weakness in a specific area of the body;

• Paralysis of a specific area of the body.

The following symptoms are characteristic of spinal meningioma:

• Pain in the area of the tumor;

• Radiculopathy;

• Hyporeflexia;

• Muscle weakness and decreased muscle tone.

Scientists still do not know the exact cause of meningioma. Based on scientific research, in 40 to 80% of cases, the pathology is fixed on chromosome 22. The cause is spontaneous or, rarely, part of a specific genetic (hereditary) condition.

Scientists have also investigated certain environmental, hormonal, and genetic risk factors.

Source:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17858-meningioma