What is a Meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges, the thin protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord. The vast majority of meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous), meaning they tend to grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body.

In simple terms, a meningioma is not a tumor of the brain itself, but rather of the lining around it. However, as it grows, it can put pressure on nearby brain tissue or nerves, which may lead to symptoms.

 

Do All Meningiomas Require Surgery?

Not necessarily.

Many meningiomas are discovered incidentally on imaging and may never cause symptoms. In these cases, a safe and appropriate approach is often observation with periodic MRI scans to monitor for growth.

Treatment decisions are based on several factors:

• Size of the tumor
• Growth over time
• Location
• Presence of symptoms

If a meningioma is small, stable, and not causing symptoms, monitoring may be all that is needed.

 

Symptoms of Meningioma

When symptoms do occur, they are usually related to the tumor’s location and the structures it affects. Common symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness
• Vision changes
• Balance or coordination issues

 

Treatment Options

Observation

Careful monitoring with regular imaging is often appropriate for small or asymptomatic tumors.

Surgery

When a meningioma is growing or causing symptoms, surgical removal may be recommended.

One of the most important aspects of surgery is that the approach is highly individualized. Meningiomas can occur anywhere along the dura, so the surgical plan is carefully tailored to:

• The tumor’s exact location
• Its relationship to critical structures (brain, nerves, blood vessels)
• The safest path for removal

 

Minimally Invasive Surgical Approaches

Advances in neurosurgery now allow many meningiomas to be treated using minimally invasive techniques, when appropriate.

These approaches aim to:

• Reduce tissue disruption
• Minimize recovery time
• Improve cosmetic outcomes

Whenever possible, we use smaller, targeted openings and techniques that often involve minimal hair shaving, allowing for a more comfortable recovery and quicker return to normal activities.

 

When to See a Neurosurgeon

You should consider evaluation if:

• You have been diagnosed with a meningioma
• You are experiencing new or worsening neurological symptoms
• You would like a second opinion regarding management

 

Our Approach

Management of meningiomas is not one-size-fits-all. We focus on personalized care, balancing safety, effectiveness, and quality of life—whether that means careful observation or surgical treatment.

When surgery is necessary, we prioritize minimally invasive approaches whenever possible. By using smaller, targeted openings and advanced microsurgical techniques, we aim to:

• Reduce disruption to surrounding tissue
• Minimize postoperative discomfort
• Shorten recovery time
• Optimize cosmetic outcomes, including minimal hair shaving whenever feasible

Every surgical plan is carefully tailored to the tumor’s location and the patient’s individual needs, with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome with the least amount of impact on daily life.

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