Meningioma

Contact Information

(608) 263-8500
(800) 323-8942

 

Health Information

Meningioma (Brain Tumors)

The UW Health Brain Tumor Center in Madison, Wisconsin provides comprehensive treatment for patients with brain tumors. Working in concert with the UW Carbone Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary team sees more than 1,200 brain tumor patients annually with common as well as rare brain cancers.

 

What are meningioma?

 

Meningioma tumors occur in the meninges - the tissue that covers the spinal cord and brain. As they grow meningioma tumors compress brain tissue and nerves, and this compression is the reason meningioma tumors, though considered low-grade, can cause disability and even be life-threatening.

 

The rate of growth for meningioma tumors is difficult to predict. Some grow very slowly, others in sudden spurts. They are categorized in three grades, with grade 1 the least aggressive and grade 3 the most aggressive.

  • Benign (Grade 1)
  • Atypical (Grade 2)
  • Malignant  (Grade 3)

Symptoms

 

Though meningioma tumors sometimes show no symptoms, general symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Behavior, memory and personality changes

Meningioma Treatment

 

Tumor location and size determine the course of treatment. Doctors may choose to monitor less aggressive tumors. More problematic tumors require surgical removal.