A brain meningioma is a type of tumor that forms in the protective tissues covering the brain. Like other primary brain tumors, it can cause serious complications if left untreated. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics is New Jersey’s most comprehensive brain and spine center. Here, CNSO’s award-winning experts discuss warning signs and what happens if a brain meningioma is left untreated.
Quick Facts About Brain Meningiomas
- Meningiomas are types of brain tumors that form in the meninges, or the layers of tissue that cover and cushion the brain. Meningiomas are typically benign tumors, but, rarely, they can be malignant.
- Both benign and malignant meningiomas can cause serious symptoms and life-threatening complications if they are left untreated.
- Early signs of a meningioma include severe headaches in the morning, nausea, vomiting, weakness, numbness, changes in hearing or smell, muscle spasms, blurred vision, memory loss, and seizures.
- Treatment options for meningiomas include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Targeted therapies may also be available through clinical trials.
What Is a Meningioma?
Meningiomas are the most common form of benign primary brain tumor, accounting for one-third of all brain tumors. They do not form in the brain itself, but instead develop from the meninges, or the outer layers of tissue that provide a protective cushion between the brain and the skull. Meningiomas are primarily composed of abnormal tissue, but they may also contain cysts (sacs of fluid), calcifications (mineral deposits), or tightly packed clusters of blood vessels.
Benign vs. Malignant Meningiomas
The majority of meningiomas are low-grade and benign. This means they grow slowly and do not invade nearby tissue. Rarely, however, meningiomas may become malignant. These tumors grow rapidly and invade other structures in the brain.
Common Locations and Growth Patterns for Meningiomas
Meningiomas can form anywhere on the exterior surface of the brain or spinal cord. They are most common near the top of the brain, though they can also form at the base of the skull, where they are considered a type of skull base tumor. Once formed, meningiomas typically grow inward toward the brain. They may also grow outward into the skull, creating thickened sections of bone.
What Happens if a Brain Meningioma Is Left Untreated?
Even benign brain tumors are dangerous. Because meningiomas grow inward from the skull, and depending on the location of the tumor, they create pressure on nearby structures, commonly the brain, spinal cord, eye, or ear. This pressure can injure the underlying structure, resulting in a neurological deficit. Early-stage meningiomas do not always cause symptoms. As tumors grow larger, however, patients begin to experience neurological symptoms, such as:
- Severe morning headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness and numbness
- Changes in hearing or smell
- Muscle twitches or spasms
- Memory loss
- Seizures
Over time, the meningioma’s growth may even cause permanent damage to the brain. Symptoms become increasingly severe, impacting the patient’s everyday function and quality of life. Late-stage symptoms of meningioma include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Loss of vision
- Loss of function in the arms or legs
- Balance problems
- Confusion and cognitive impairment
- Difficulty forming words
- Personality changes
- Nausea and vomiting
Very large tumors may eventually impact parts of the brain that control vital functions of breathing, heartbeat, and consciousness.
Though rarer, malignant meningiomas are even more deadly. Malignant meningiomas grow rapidly, invade the brain and surrounding structures, and can rarely be cured by surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy are used in combination with surgery, but in spite of aggressive treatment, malignant meningiomas have a high recurrence rate.
When to Seek Medical Care
Fortunately, both benign and malignant meningiomas are treatable if they are diagnosed early. With treatment, Grade I or II (benign) meningiomas have an excellent prognosis. Unfortunately, malignant meningiomas have a more guarded prognosis and a much higher recurrence rate.
The key to long survival is early detection. Both benign and malignant brain tumors are progressive diseases, meaning the tumor grows and the symptoms get worse over time. Late-stage or large meningiomas are more likely to cause permanent brain damage, and they also become more difficult to treat as the tumor grows and spreads. Catching the disease early, therefore, is crucial. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the better the chance the patient has for a successful treatment.
Patients should seek medical care as soon as they notice any neurological symptoms. While not all symptoms of this kind are caused by a brain tumor, neurological conditions are always serious. Speaking to a physician is the first step to identifying the cause and receiving treatment.
Treatment Options for Meningioma
Treatments for meningioma depend on the tumor’s location, its type (benign or malignant), and how much it has grown or spread before diagnosis. The patient’s care team will help them understand the options available and what to expect from each in terms of side effects, recovery journey, and outcomes. These options may include:
Watchful Waiting
Very small, slow-growing meningiomas may not require immediate treatment. Instead, the patient’s care team will monitor the tumor with regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. If new symptoms develop or if any signs of growth are detected, then the care team may adopt a more active strategy.
Surgery
Brain tumor surgery is the preferred treatment for both benign and malignant meningiomas. The best outcome and overall prognosis for a meningioma is complete removal of the tumor. For Grade I and II tumors, there is a high rate of cure if the tumor is completely removed. Depending on where in the brain the meningioma is formed, neurosurgeons may perform an open craniotomy or a minimally invasive endoscopic brain surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS), which includes gamma knife and CyberKnife, is a very focused type of radiation that is an effective treatment for small tumors.
Fractionated radiation therapy can be used to treat larger tumors that are not safe to remove. This type of radiation is delivered at lower doses over several sessions. Radiation treatment stops the tumor from growing, but it doesn’t remove it or eliminate the tumor.
Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill fast-dividing cells like tumor cells. Chemotherapy is reserved exclusively for malignant meningiomas to try to prevent recurrence of the tumor. If the patient joins a clinical trial, they may have access to specific, targeted therapies that attack tumor cells more precisely with fewer side effects.
Find Expert Meningioma Treatments Near You in New Jersey
Though meningiomas can be deadly, patients who receive treatment are often cured, and in general, enjoy a much better prognosis and a higher quality of life. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics offers comprehensive meningioma treatment at locations near you in New Jersey across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Hudson counties. Contact CNSO today to learn more about treatment options available at CNSO.
FAQ About Meningioma of the Brain
Can meningiomas go away without treatment?
Meningiomas do not go away without treatment.
How quickly can a meningioma grow?
How quickly a meningioma grows depends on the tumor’s grade. Grade I and II meningiomas are slow-growing and may remain small for a long time. Grade III meningiomas grow rapidly.
What is the prognosis for a brain meningioma?
The overall prognosis of Grade I and II meningiomas is excellent, and many patients are cured with treatment. The prognosis of Grade III or malignant meningioma is guarded, and typically requires aggressive treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Are untreated meningiomas fatal?
Untreated meningiomas can be fatal, so it is important that patients discuss any new neurological symptoms with their physician.
