Meningiomas are tumors that originate from the membranes called meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord, push the nerve tissue from the outside, grow slowly and are considered to be benign because the probability of spreading is very low.
What are meningiomas?
Meningioma can reach very large dimensions such as 5 cm in diameter. Rarely, meningiomas that grow rapidly and exhibit cancer-like behavior are called atypical or anaplastic meningiomas. Meningiomas constitute 20% of brain tumors and 10% of spinal tumors. In neurofibromatosis type 2, the possibility of meningioma increases even more. The most common complaints and findings are the success of the tumor, which lasts for weeks or months, weakness or paralysis, vision loss and speech disorder, depending on the location of the tumor. MRI gives detailed information about the brain while identifying meningiomas. If the tumor has affected the skull or if the tumor is qualified, bbt is helpful.
There are 3 basic approaches to treatment. A- FollowingB- SurgeryC- Radiotherapy
Following: meningiomas often grow slowly and may increase in size by 1-2mm per year.
In the following two cases, it is appropriate to follow-up with an annual MRI.
A- Patients with small tumors that do not cause edema in the adjacent brain tissue, causing moderate-to-mild complaints that do not affect the quality of life,
B- Patients with very slowly progressive findings and fainting seizures that can be controlled with medication elderly patients.
Surgery: It can vary from simple to very risky, sensitive surgical approach. Success depends on the location of the tumor, its ability to be removed, and the surgeon's experience.
The aims of surgery are;
To obtain tumor tissue to confirm the diagnosis. Pathologists divide meningiomas into 3,
Grade 1: benign, this very slow growing group accounts for 75% of all meningiomas. Grade 2: atypical, usually slow growing but may recur. Grade 3: anaplastic, more It is a fast growing malignant group.
15% of meningiomas can recur and in this case they become higher grade. Removal of sufficient tumor helps to restore normal brain tissue dysfunction or decrease pressure.
The rate of tumor removal may vary in surgery. If the tumor is completely removed, if there will be side effects that will impair the quality of life, a part of the tumor can be left in place. r. If the tumor has included the great arteries or veins of the brain and has spread to the deep nerve tissues, the chance of complete removal of the tumor decreases and the risk of complications increases. In some cases, the surgeon may request embolization before surgery for the tumor with abundant blood supply, which occludes the vessels feeding the tumor. Radiation therapy can often be considered for deep and surgically inaccessible tumors or in elderly patients. Young patients under the age of 50 should be informed that radiation-related cancer may develop 10 years after radiotherapy, although the probability is low.
Read: 0
