Meningioma Brain Tumor Symptoms

The brain is the most vital organ of the body. It is the central workstation controlling various functions of the body. Brain tumors can have an effect on various organs of the body. The brain and spinal cord is enclosed in the meninges. A tumor that grows in the meninges of the brain is known as a meningioma. This tumor grows inwards and causes compression of the brain mainly affecting the cranial nerves and blood vessels. Many a time, these meningiomas are not malignant and are known as low-grade tumors. Even though they are benign they pose a degree of threat due to the compression of the brain.

Meningioma Brain Tumor

Meningioma is a type of tumor that grows on the brain surface. They are considered low-grade tumors as the rate at which these grow is quite slow and do not have the potential to spread anywhere in the body. Having stated this, it is important to know that sometimes there are cases where the meningiomas grow at a faster rate, these are known as atypical meningiomas. Even though they grow slowly, if not taken care of, they can grow to be quite large. Of all the brain tumors, meningiomas form 20 percent of these, originating in the brain. Statistical studies have shown that around 6500 people show this condition of meningiomas in the United States. Often meningiomas occur in individuals with a hereditary condition called neurofibromatosis type 2. Meningiomas are classified into three grades by WHO. Grade I are low risk meningiomas, grade II are atypical meningiomas and grade III meningiomas are malignant brain tumors also known as anaplastic meningiomas.

Symptoms
These symptoms are observed due to the compression of the brain. These symptoms may vary according to its location and the areas of the brain that is being compressed as well. The following table will give you the details of the location of the meningiomas and symptoms seen due to it.

Location of Tumor	Symptoms
Convexity of the brain (away from midline)	Seizures, Speaking disability, weakness, headache, visual defects
Parafalcine (meninges between the brain hemispheres)	Seizures, behavioral changes, apathy, tremors, headache and weakness in lower extremities
Sphenoid Ridge	Bulging eyes, behavioral defects, memory loss, paralysis of eye movement, unclear vision
Posterior Fossa	Loss of coordination, difficulty in swallowing and speaking
Cerebellopontine (sides of the brain stem)	Complete loss of hearing, increased pressure in the brain, speaking and swallowing difficulties
Olfactory Groove	Loss of smell, euphoria, urinary incontinence, visual impairment

Treatment
Treatment of meningiomas initially is based on symptoms. This requires the prescription of steroids and anticonvulsants. To avoid side effects, patients are treated with histamine 2 receptor blocker. The doses of these medications vary with each case and the symptoms posed. If there are no symptoms that are observed medication is avoided. Surgery is a treatment option that is opted for quite often. Meningioma surgeries are done quite often. The surgical risk is defined by the location of the tumor. Sometimes, surgeons perform cerebral angiography and tumor embolization to reduce complications due to bleeding during the surgery. Post-operative treatment includes observation to avoid re growth or any other complication after surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy are other modes of treatment for meningiomas that cannot be treated by surgery.

Prognosis
Prognosis for this condition is quite good. Most of the patients are often asymptomatic. A study has shown that the overall rate of growth of these tumors is very low and therefore managing this condition is relatively easier when compared to other tumors. Its survival rate is quite high when compared to other malignant brain tumor survival rates. For WHO grade I and II the survival rate without any progression of the tumor is 5 years. For WHO grade III meningioma the survival rate is less than 50 percent.

Though meningiomas are most often not malignant, if a person does show its symptoms, it is necessary to manage these with proper care and management of the condition under the guidance of a doctor.