The NeuroMedical Center | Patient Education Library | Meningiomas

A meningioma is a tumor in your meninges. These thin layers of protective tissue surround your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are not cancerous and usually grow slowly.

 




Causes
The cause of a meningioma is not fully understood.  It may be linked to your genetics, to your environment or to a combination of factors. It starts with a mutation in a cell’s DNA. This genetic blueprint guides cellular growth and functions. The mutation causes the cell to divide abnormally and uncontrollably. A meningioma tumor is a mass of these abnormal cells.


Risk Factors
Certain factors increase your risk for a meningioma. The tumors are more common in women. You have a higher risk if you have had radiation treatment involving your head. And, you have a higher risk if you have an inherited nervous system disorder
called “neurofibromatosis type 2.”


Symptoms
A meningioma can press against your brain, interfering with its function. Symptoms of a meningioma include headache, hearing loss and changes in vision. You may have problems with your memory. You may lose your sense of smell. You may develop weakness in your limbs, and you may have seizures.


Treatment
The NeuroMedical Center’s Neuro-Oncology Program, led by Baton Rouge’s only board certified neurologist/neuro-oncologist, Dr. Jon D. Olson, offers a wide range of treatment options for meningiomas dependent on your tumor and your individual needs.  If your tumor is aggressive, or if it is causing harmful symptoms, you may benefit from surgery, radiation therapy, medications, or other options. Our entire team of neurological specialists work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for you.