When you get a headache, you may feel a little scared and worried, "Oh, do I have a brain tumor?" Isn't that normal? But the most important thing we need to know is that not all headaches and tumors are dangerous cancers. Today we are going to talk about a common type of tumor that develops in the brain, but is usually not dangerous. We call this a meningioma.
Simply put, what is meningioma?
Imagine that our brain and spinal cord are protected by a thin covering made of three membranes. It's like a book cover. This covering is what we medically call the 'meninges'. A meningioma is a tumor that grows on those coverings.
The important thing is that this is not a tumor that grows inside the brain , but a tumor that grows in the covering that surrounds the brain. Therefore, about 80% of these tumors are not dangerous , that is, they are not malignant. They usually grow very slowly. Sometimes they can be present for years without any symptoms. But sometimes, even if they are not dangerous, when this tumor grows, it can cause some problems because it presses on parts of the brain.
How do you classify these nuts?
Meningiomas are mainly divided into three grades based on their nature. Understanding this will make this clearer to you.
| Grade of the fruit | Simple description |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | This is the most common type. About 80% of meningiomas are of this type. These are non-cancerous (benign) tumors. They grow very slowly and have clear boundaries. |
| Grade 2 (Grade 2 - Atypical) | These are neither cancerous tumors nor completely benign tumors. They are an intermediate stage. They have a high risk of recurrence and rapid growth. About 15%-20% of meningiomas are of this type. |
| Grade 3 (Grade 3 - Anaplastic) | These are malignant tumors. But they are very rare. They account for only 1%-4% of meningiomas. They can grow rapidly and spread to other parts of the brain and body (for example, the lungs). |
Who is most at risk of developing this condition?
Although the exact cause has not yet been found, research has found that certain factors may increase a person's risk of developing meningioma.
- Gender: Surprisingly, this type of tumor is more common in women than in men. Middle-aged women are about twice as likely to develop it as men.
- Hormones: The female hormones estrogen and progesterone are believed to influence the growth of these tumors. These tumors may grow rapidly during pregnancy and when taking hormone replacement therapy.
- Exposure to radiation: Excessive radiation to the head and neck, especially during childhood, increases the risk.
- Age: This condition is most common among people over the age of 65.
- Genetic conditions: People with the genetic disease Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) have about a 50% chance of developing meningioma.
- Obesity: Although the direct link between obesity and meningioma is not clear, some research has shown that these tumors are more common among obese people.
The important thing is that having these risk factors does not mean you will develop meningioma. It is also possible for someone to develop this condition even if they do not have any of these risk factors.
What are the symptoms of this?
Because most meningiomas grow very slowly, there are no symptoms in the early stages. If symptoms do occur, they depend on where the tumor is in the brain and how large it is. The most common symptoms include:
- Headache that has been present for a long time and is gradually increasing.
- Sudden seizures .
- Blurred vision , double vision, or decreased vision.
- Feeling of numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Tingling in some parts of the body.
- Difficulty speaking .
- Ringing in the ears or hearing loss .
- Memory problems .
If you have one or more of these symptoms, the best thing to do is not to panic and immediately see a doctor for advice.
How does a doctor find this?
After listening to your symptoms, your doctor will examine you and, if a meningioma is suspected, order a brain scan.
1. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: This is the best way to diagnose meningioma. It can clearly show the location, size, and extent of the tumor and its impact on surrounding tissues.
2. CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: In some cases, a CT scan is also used in addition to an MRI.
3. Biopsy: Sometimes, a small piece of the tumor is removed during surgery and sent to a lab to confirm whether it is cancerous (Grade 3) or not.
How is it treated?
Treatment is determined by several factors, including the size of the tumor, how fast it's growing, your age, and your overall health.
1. Wait and Watch
If the tumor is very small, has no symptoms, and is not dangerous (Grade 1), your doctor will tell you to wait for a while without any treatment. During this time, MRI scans will be performed at regular intervals to monitor whether the tumor is growing.
2. Surgical removal (Surgery)
If you have symptoms, if the tumor is growing rapidly, or if it is pressing on a significant part of your brain, your doctor may decide to perform surgery to remove it. The surgery is called a craniotomy . This involves removing a small piece of bone from your skull, removing as much or as little of the tumor as possible, and then reattaching the bone. As with any surgery, there are risks, so it is important to discuss this with your doctor before making a decision.
3. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used if the tumor is in a location that cannot be completely removed by surgery, or to destroy small pieces left after surgery. This can shrink the tumor or stop it from growing. This treatment is also used for cancerous (Grade 3) tumors.
4. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is rarely used for meningioma, and is only considered when surgery and radiation therapy have failed.
Take-Home Message
- A meningioma is a tumor that develops in the covering around the brain. The vast majority of these (about 80%) are not cancerous.
- Because these grow very slowly, there may be no symptoms for many years.
- If you experience symptoms such as sudden seizures, vision changes, memory problems, or prolonged headaches, do not panic and seek medical advice immediately.
- Not all meningiomas require immediate treatment. 'Wait and watch' is a common approach.
- Talk openly with your doctor about what treatment is best for your condition and make the best decision.
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