Most meningiomasare a benign, slow-growing brain tumor that forms in the outer layer of the brain and spine. Meningiomas are the most common type of non-cancerous brain tumor. Never the less, they are extremely rare.
Often, a meningioma is present without any obvious symptoms, which can make it difficult to identify and diagnose. The tumor may be only be discovered incidentally through imaging tests for another condition.
Since the tumor is slow-growing, symptoms tend to develop over a long period of time. Depending on the size and location of the tumor and which part of the brain or spine is affected, symptoms will vary. While the tumor is non-cancerous, as it grows, symptoms may become more severe or debilitating, and in some cases, can be life-threatening.
This article will review common symptoms of a meningioma to watch for and when you may want to see a doctor.
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Common Symptoms
Meningioma symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. Since meningiomas are slow-growing, symptoms often build up over time. This can make early symptoms easy to overlook or ignore. Many people never feel any symptoms.
As the tumor grows, it can press into the soft tissue of the brain, eventually growing into the brain tissue. As the tumor applies more pressure to the brain, neurological symptoms may appear. Symptoms may include:
Rare Symptoms
Only 10% of all meningiomas form along the spine. When the tumor appears on the spine, the symptoms may also be different.
As the meningioma becomes larger or if it presses on a nerve in the spine, symptoms, such as pain or even paralysis in the body part affected, may appear.
Common symptoms of a spinal meningioma include:
Complications
As with any medical condition, there is a possibility for complications. Sometimes the complications come from the condition itself. Other times it’s the treatment. Since thetreatment for meningiomaoften includes surgical removal, therisk for long-term complicationsis higher.
Some long-term complications of a meningioma include:
When to See a Doctor
It’s very rare for someone with a meningioma to experience a situation where they will need emergency care. Since these are slow-growing tumors, the symptoms typically get worse over a long period of time. During this time, doctors will often find the cause before an emergency occurs.
If your doctor does find a meningioma and you have no symptoms, this is often a good sign. It usually means the tumor is small. It also means the tumor is growing away from critical areas in the brain. Many people with small, symptom-free meningiomas will simply need an annual MRI to make sure nothing changes.
That said, if you or a loved one do experience persistent headaches that don’t go away or get worse, or notice neurological symptoms such as changes in personality, seizures, or a sudden change in your vision or hearing, you should consult with your healthcare provider to determine what’s causing your symptoms.
A Word from VeryWell
Meningiomas are rare, so it is unlikely that your symptoms will lead toa diagnosis of this tumor. However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider if you do notice neurological symptoms. A medical professional can help determine what’s going on and point you toward the best treatment options for your situation.
3 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.Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Truitt G, Boscia A, Kruchko C, Barnholtz-Sloan JS.CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2011-2015.Neuro Oncol. 2018;20(suppl_4):iv1-iv86. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noy131National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.Englot DJ, Chang EF, Vecht CJ.Epilepsy and brain tumors.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;134:267-285. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802997-8.00016-5
3 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.Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Truitt G, Boscia A, Kruchko C, Barnholtz-Sloan JS.CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2011-2015.Neuro Oncol. 2018;20(suppl_4):iv1-iv86. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noy131National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.Englot DJ, Chang EF, Vecht CJ.Epilepsy and brain tumors.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;134:267-285. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802997-8.00016-5
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.
Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Truitt G, Boscia A, Kruchko C, Barnholtz-Sloan JS.CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2011-2015.Neuro Oncol. 2018;20(suppl_4):iv1-iv86. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noy131National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.Englot DJ, Chang EF, Vecht CJ.Epilepsy and brain tumors.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;134:267-285. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802997-8.00016-5
Ostrom QT, Gittleman H, Truitt G, Boscia A, Kruchko C, Barnholtz-Sloan JS.CBTRUS statistical report: primary brain and other central nervous system tumors diagnosed in the United States in 2011-2015.Neuro Oncol. 2018;20(suppl_4):iv1-iv86. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noy131
National Cancer Institute.Meningioma diagnosis and treatment.
Englot DJ, Chang EF, Vecht CJ.Epilepsy and brain tumors.Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;134:267-285. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-802997-8.00016-5
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