Meningioma is surgically removed when it’s pressing on the brain structure, is suspected to be a high-grade tumor, or is causing symptoms.
When Should a Meningioma Be Removed?
Meningioma — a tumor starting in the protective layers of your brain and spinal cord — might sound alarming at first. But around 80 to 85 percent of meningiomas are benign, mostly non-cancerous. They are also slow-growing tumors that may not cause any noticeable symptoms initially.
In fact, many meningiomas are found accidentally on brain scans done for other reasons. Meningiomas may not immediately need invasive brain tumor treatment in Kolhapur if they are asymptomatic. However, certain types may require surgical removal.
When Meningiomas Need Surgical Removal
These tumors form from meninges, not the brain itself, but they are classified as primary brain tumors. They may remain asymptomatic for several years or press on the nearby brain structures, causing problematic symptoms. Here’s when surgery is considered:
- Tumor Growth: If the tumor remains stable and asymptomatic, your surgeon may consider close monitoring. However, a tumor appearing larger on follow-up MRI scan deserves attention.
- Tumor Grade: Meningiomas are classified into Grade 1, 2, and 3. Grade II tumor is considered atypical and is associated with an increased risk of recurrence, while Grade III can be a malignant or aggressive form of tumor. If a higher-grade tumor is suspected, surgery may be considered followed by radiation therapy.
- Tumor Size: There’s no specific tumor size that may warrant a surgical removal. Instead, your surgeon will look at the whole picture, including factors such as the tumor’s location, if it’s growing fast, which parts of the brain it affects, how it looks on MRI, and the patient’s age and overall health.
Meningioma Symptoms
One of the obvious reasons why meningioma surgery may be needed is that it causes symptoms. Symptoms can vary between patients, depending largely on the tumor’s location and the parts of the brain that it presses on. Here’s what it can cause:
- Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision
- Weakness or numbness on one part of the face, arms, or legs
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Confusion or difficulty remembering things
- Difficulty finding words during conversations
At WIINS, we have a highly experienced neurosurgeon in Kolhapur, who recommends and performs brain tumor surgery when clinically necessary. Again, surgery isn’t automatically recommended for all meningiomas.
Or, it isn’t decided based on the tumor’s size alone. Even if you present with symptoms, the surgeon will check if those symptoms are related to the tumor affecting a specific part of the brain. For example, a meningioma located close to the optic nerve can cause vision problems, even if it’s small and benign.
Does Surgery Completely Remove the Tumor?
Whether the entire tumor can be safely removed depends on its exact location. The goal is to excise as much tumor as possible without affecting the nearby healthy brain tissue. However, the portion of the tumor attached to a vital brain structure or blood vessels is left behind. Radiation therapy can help control these tumor cells, preventing them from growing or dividing.
