$Unique_ID{BRK03992} $Pretitle{} $Title{Meningioma} $Subject{Meningioma Arachnoidal Fibroblastoma Leptomeningioma Dural Endothelioma Meningeal Fibroblastoma Frontal Tumor Temporal Tumor Parietal Tumor } $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 301: Meningioma ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (Meningioma) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Arachnoidal Fibroblastoma Leptomeningioma Dural Endothelioma Meningeal Fibroblastoma DISORDER SUBDIVISIONS Frontal Tumor Temporal Tumor Parietal Tumor General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Meningiomas are benign, slow-growing tumors, classified as brain tumors, but actually growing in the three protective membranes that surround the brain (meninges). Sometimes they cause thickening or thinning of adjoining skull bones. Meningiomas do not spread to other areas of the body. Symptoms Symptoms of Meningioma vary according to the size and location of the tumor. FRONTAL TUMORS: These type of tumors can produce progressive weakness on one side of the body or in a localized area such as a leg. They can also cause seizures that may be limited to one area (focal), or generalized. Mental changes may also occur. Seizures are caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain. They are usually sudden, brief attacks of altered consciousness, unusual muscle movements, sensations, and/or behavior. The patient with seizures may fall, experience jerky movements, appear to be in a daze or asleep. A focal seizure is localized in one part of the body. (For more information, choose "Epilepsy" as your search term in the Rare Disease database). Mental changes may include drowsiness, listlessness, dullness, or personality changes. If the tumor is in the dominant hemisphere, which is the left side of the brain for right handed persons, it can produce speech difficulties (aphasia). Frontal lobe tumors can also produce loss of sense of smell, blurred or double vision, and loss of bladder control (incontinence or sudden, unexpected urination). TEMPORAL TUMORS: Temporal tumors, particularly in the non-dominant hemisphere, usually cause no symptoms other than seizures. However, some patients loose the ability to recognize and name objects (anomia) if the tumor is in the dominant hemisphere. PARIETAL TUMORS: Meningiomas over the parietal lobe, which lies behind the frontal lobe, may produce either generalized seizures or focal sensory seizures which are characterized by a strange sensation (paresthesia) in a particular part of the body. The inability to identify an object by touching it (astereognosis) can also be caused by meningiomas of the parietal lobe. The most common symptom associated with brain tumors is headache. However, not all tumors cause headaches. Causes The cause of Meningioma is unknown. Meningiomas usually develop from cell clusters associated with arachnoidal villi. Affected Population Meningiomas most frequently occur in middle-aged persons. They are more common in women than in men by a ratio of 3:2. These types of tumors are rare in childhood, and they seldom affect black people in the United States. Therapies: Standard Many meningiomas can be completely removed surgically. Some, due to their location, can only be partially removed. In these areas of the brain, complete removal would carry the risk of damaging a major artery or of destroying a part of the brain. However, even partial removal should provide some relief from symptoms. Because meningiomas grow so slowly, it could be many years before further surgery may be necessary. Radiation and chemotherapy are usually not used to treat meningiomas. If the patient with Meningioma has muscle weakness, coordination problems, or speech impairment, physical, occupational, or speech therapy may be helpful. Complete recovery from symptoms is possible after surgery. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March 1987. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Meningioma, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Association for Brain Tumor Research 2910 West Montrose Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 (312) 286-5571 American Cancer Society 1599 Clifton Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 320-3333 NIH/National Cancer Institute 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 1A2A Bethesda, MD 20892 1-800-4-CANCER The National Cancer Institute has developed PDQ (Physician Data Query), a computerized database designed to give doctors quick and easy access to many types of information vital to treating patients with this and many other types of cancer. To gain access to this service, a doctor can contact the Cancer Information Service offices at 1-800-4-CANCER. Information specialists at this toll-free number can answer questions about cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. References ABOUT MENINGIOMAS: B. Fine et al.; Association for Brain Tumor Research, 1982.