home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0399
/
03992.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
6KB
|
160 lines
$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.