Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesGeneticsRisk FactorsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Genetics
Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact cause ofmeningioma, the most common brain tumor, is unknown. Mutations (changes to genes) are one of the main causes of cancer and certain genetic conditions may increase the risk of developing meningioma.
This article will explain more about the causes and risk factors of getting a meningioma.
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Although researchers are still studying the exact cause of a meningioma, they know that mutations cause cells to grow out of control and form a tumor. In meningiomas, the tumor starts in themeninges, which are membranes (layers of tissues) that surround thespinal cordand brain.
Genetics may affect your chances of having meningioma. It may be possible for you to inherit mutations that cause this tumor.Researchers are still exploring the mutations seen in meningioma tumors.
There are genetic conditions that increase your risk of brain tumors. You are more likely to get a meningioma if you have:
Other risk factors for meningiomas include:
Summary
Meningioma is a type of tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Mutations cause changes to cells and make them grow out of control, and they can form tumors, including meningiomas. Genetics and other risk factors may play a role in causing this type of tumor.
A Word From Verywell
Determining the exact cause of your meningioma is difficult and often not possible. It is important to remember that you cannot control all risk factors for brain tumors, so you should not blame yourself for having a meningioma. In addition, researchers are still trying to figure out the role of genetics in the developiment of this type of tumor.
If you have a meningioma, consider joining in-person or virtual brain tumor support groups. There are many options for groups, so you have a variety to choose from and connect with others who are dealing with cancer. Ask your doctor about local support groups if you are struggling to find one. Many hospitals have started groups for patients and their loved ones.
Yes, it is possible for meningiomas to return after treatment. This may happen even if the original tumor was removed completely. Sometimes the meningioma returns and forms in the same spot as the original tumor.
Although it is possible that some genetic mutations that cause meningiomas can be inherited, researchers are still studying this. If you have a meningioma, it does not guarantee that your children or grandchildren will have it. However, certain inherited genetic conditions increase the risk of developing a meningioma.
Researchers do not know if it is possible to prevent meningioma. You may not be able to lower your risk of having a brain tumor, but you can make sure to have regular medical exams to catch problems sooner. Early diagnosis can lead to faster treatment and better outcomes.
Head injuries do not appear to increase the risk of meningiomas. The severity of a head injury also does not have an impact on the chances of having a brain tumor.
Meningiomas are considered the most common type of brain tumor. An estimated 36% of all brain tumors in the United States are meningiomas. About 20,000 newmeningiomas are diagnosed every year. Meningiomas can affect males and females and tend to be more common among older adults.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.National Brain Tumor Society.Meningioma tumors.MedlinePlus.Brain tumor - primary - adults.Yuzawa S, Nishihara H, Tanaka S.Genetic landscape of meningioma.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2016;33(4):237-247. doi:10.1007/s10014-016-0271-7Hong CS, Erson-Omay EZ, Moliterno J.Multiple meningiomas arising within the same hemisphere associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.Surg Neurol Int. 2021;12:99. doi:10.25259/SNI_125_2019American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Meningiomas.Johnson DR, Olson JE, Vierkant RA, et al.Risk factors for meningioma in postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study.Neuro Oncol. 2011;13(9):1011-1019. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nor081Kerr K, Qualmann K, Esquenazi Y, Hagan J, Kim DH.Familial syndromes involving meningiomas provide mechanistic insight into sporadic disease.Neurosurgery. 2018;83(6):1107-1118. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy121
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.National Brain Tumor Society.Meningioma tumors.MedlinePlus.Brain tumor - primary - adults.Yuzawa S, Nishihara H, Tanaka S.Genetic landscape of meningioma.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2016;33(4):237-247. doi:10.1007/s10014-016-0271-7Hong CS, Erson-Omay EZ, Moliterno J.Multiple meningiomas arising within the same hemisphere associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.Surg Neurol Int. 2021;12:99. doi:10.25259/SNI_125_2019American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Meningiomas.Johnson DR, Olson JE, Vierkant RA, et al.Risk factors for meningioma in postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study.Neuro Oncol. 2011;13(9):1011-1019. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nor081Kerr K, Qualmann K, Esquenazi Y, Hagan J, Kim DH.Familial syndromes involving meningiomas provide mechanistic insight into sporadic disease.Neurosurgery. 2018;83(6):1107-1118. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy121
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.National Brain Tumor Society.Meningioma tumors.MedlinePlus.Brain tumor - primary - adults.Yuzawa S, Nishihara H, Tanaka S.Genetic landscape of meningioma.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2016;33(4):237-247. doi:10.1007/s10014-016-0271-7Hong CS, Erson-Omay EZ, Moliterno J.Multiple meningiomas arising within the same hemisphere associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.Surg Neurol Int. 2021;12:99. doi:10.25259/SNI_125_2019American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Meningiomas.Johnson DR, Olson JE, Vierkant RA, et al.Risk factors for meningioma in postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study.Neuro Oncol. 2011;13(9):1011-1019. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nor081Kerr K, Qualmann K, Esquenazi Y, Hagan J, Kim DH.Familial syndromes involving meningiomas provide mechanistic insight into sporadic disease.Neurosurgery. 2018;83(6):1107-1118. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy121
National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.
National Brain Tumor Society.Meningioma tumors.
MedlinePlus.Brain tumor - primary - adults.
Yuzawa S, Nishihara H, Tanaka S.Genetic landscape of meningioma.Brain Tumor Pathol. 2016;33(4):237-247. doi:10.1007/s10014-016-0271-7
Hong CS, Erson-Omay EZ, Moliterno J.Multiple meningiomas arising within the same hemisphere associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.Surg Neurol Int. 2021;12:99. doi:10.25259/SNI_125_2019
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Meningiomas.
Johnson DR, Olson JE, Vierkant RA, et al.Risk factors for meningioma in postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study.Neuro Oncol. 2011;13(9):1011-1019. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nor081
Kerr K, Qualmann K, Esquenazi Y, Hagan J, Kim DH.Familial syndromes involving meningiomas provide mechanistic insight into sporadic disease.Neurosurgery. 2018;83(6):1107-1118. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyy121
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