Is Meningioma cancer?
Is Meningioma cancer?What is the difference between benign, atypical, and malignant meningioma?
Meningiomas are not cancer. A cancer is a tumor that has spread (metastasized) outside of the initial host organ. Metastasis can occur in the setting of nearly all tumors in the body - but meningiomas, like many other brain tumors, rarely metastasize.
In some cases, meningiomas are atypical, which means they grow faster, act more aggressively, and are more likely to recur after treatment. Atypical meningiomas are not cancerous.
While rare, meningiomas can also be anaplastic, which means they’re malignant. Anaplastic meningiomas are fast-growing, aggressive, and more likely to cause symptoms and recur after treatment. Anaplastic meningiomas, though capable of acting in malignant fashion, are also not cancerous.
Grading System
Grading SystemGrades is determined by observing the tumor cells under a microscope. Importantly, they are distinct from the stages of cancer.
- Grade 1 (most common): The most common grade of meningioma, and the slowest growing.
- Grade 2 (atypical): A less common meningioma that tends to grow faster and is more likely to return after treatment.
- Grade 3 (anaplastic/malignant): A rare meningioma that grows aggressively, spreads quickly, and is more likely to cause symptoms and return after treatment.
Locations of Meningiomas
Locations of Meningiomas- Convexity meningiomas grow directly under the skull on the brain’s surface. They are the most common type of meningioma, making up around 20% of all cases, and are some of the most surgically accessible.
- Falcine and parasagittal meningiomas form in or around the falx—a thin layer of tissue between the two sides of the brain.
- Intraventricular meningiomas develop in the ventricular system, the pathways in the brain where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced and flows
- Olfactory groove meningiomas grow along the olfactory nerve, which plays a role in sense of smell. They can cause a loss of smell and, if they grow large enough, vision problems.
- Posterior fossa/petrous meningiomas form on the underside of the brain. Because this type of tumor can press on the cranial nerves, it can cause facial and hearing issues. Petrous meningiomas can cause a painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia.
- Skull base meningiomas form in the bones at the bottom of the skull and in the bony ridge at the back of the eyes
- Sphenoid wing meningiomas develop along the ridge of bone behind your eyes. Growth on the optic nerve can cause vision problems
- Suprasellar meningiomas form at the base of the skull near the optic nerve and the pituitary gland. They can cause vision issues and gland dysfunction
- Spinal meningiomas form from the protective layer that surrounds the spinal cord.
| COMMON MENINGIOMA LOCATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Location | Symptoms |
| Convexity | Headaches or seizures |
| Falx/Parasagittal | Weakness or numbness in legs |
| Skull Base | Vision or hearing changes |
| Olfactory Groove | Loss of smell |
| Sphenoid wing | Vision problems |
| Suprasellar | Vision problems |
| Spinal | Weakness or numbness in arms and/or legs |
Common Risk Factors
Risk FactorsGenetic Factors: In some cases, people with rare inherited tumor predisposition syndromes such as type 2 neurofibromatosis (NF2) are at increased risk of meningiomas.
In most cases, there is no clear reason why any one person developed a meningioma.
This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.
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