The Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) reports that 5,000 new brain tumors are diagnosed in Spain each year. Among the different types that exist, today we are going to focus on meningioma. We will look at what it is, the different types, causes and risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and what it is like to live with a meningioma if you are diagnosed with this condition.

What is a meningioma?

A meningioma is a type of tumor that is located in the brain and, in this case, grows in the meninges. What are the meninges? They are the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The biggest problem with this diagnosis is that, as the tumor grows, it can put pressure on the brain and its nerves. This causes various symptoms that need to be identified early on.

Types of meningiomas

Meningiomas are divided into different types, with a classification by grade. These are as follows.

Grade I Grade II Grade III
The tumor grows slowly and is one of the most common. It is considered benign and has a good prognosis if treated correctly. It is considered an atypical tumor, and once treated, the chances of it reappearing are moderate. This is a malignant anaplastic meningioma, i.e., cancerous, which grows very quickly.

The lower the grade of the tumor, the better, as the prognosis will be more favorable. However, as we will see in the section on treatments, there are innovative techniques that are useful for both benign and malignant tumors. This latter diagnosis should not cause distress or despair, as it is possible to treat it and achieve positive results.

Symptoms and clinical signs

Due to the pressure that meningioma exerts on the brain, which increases as it grows, some of the symptoms to watch out for are as follows:

  • Changes in vision: we are referring to problems such as blurred vision. This may occur occasionally, but if it recurs or becomes frequent, it is advisable to seek help immediately.
  • Headaches: the pressure exerted by the tumor on the blood vessels in the brain and in certain areas—depending on where it is located—can cause severe headaches, especially in the morning.
  • Hearing and smell loss: This is another symptom that should not be confused with other diagnoses, such as coronavirus, age-related hearing loss, or misuse of headphones.
  • Difficulty speaking: This is another symptom that should immediately raise concern and require seeking help. In addition to the other warning signs mentioned, it is advisable to see a doctor.

Are there other possible symptoms and clinical signs of meningioma? Yes, such as weakness in the arms and legs, or seizures. In addition, it is crucial to seek help as soon as possible because complications can arise. These can range from seizures to weakness, memory loss, and concentration problems, among others.

Treatment

The treatment of meningioma will be determined depending on where the tumor is located and what the doctor considers to be best for each patient. The most commonly used therapeutic options are open surgery, radiosurgery, or conventional radiation therapy. In malignant tumors, chemotherapy or other systemic treatments may also be used.

Radiosurgery is a safe and highly effective treatment. The added advantages of the Zap-X device, in addition to being specifically designed for the treatment of tumors and lesions located in the brain, are:

  • Minimally invasive technology: ZAP-X is painless, so it does not require anesthesia. Therefore, it is an alternative to conventional surgery, which is invasive.
  • Precision treatment: another advantage of this innovative treatment is that it is very precise, as it acts directly on the tumor and the radiation dose can be adjusted.
  • Home on the same day: Since ZAP-X is not a surgical procedure, the patient can return home on the same day. Likewise, the postoperative period is not like that of surgery, allowing the patient to return to their normal life quickly.
  • Benign and malignant tumors: This technology is intended for both benign and malignant tumors, even if there is already metastasis.

There are not many ZAP-X devices in the world, only 30, and one of them is available at IRCA Radiosurgery in Madrid. It is the only one available in Spain.

Living with a meningioma

Living with a meningioma can be complicated, as the symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life. This is why early diagnosis is crucial, as it also leads to a more favorable prognosis. According to some studies, the relapse rate could be as high as 7% for grade I meningioma, 40% for grade II meningioma, and 80% for grade III meningioma.

With regard to survival, treatments can be curative in grade I and grade II meningiomas. In grade III meningiomas, quality of life and survival can be improved.

When the first symptoms appear, we always recommend seeing a doctor so that the appropriate tests can be carried out and possible treatments can be administered. ZAP-X is an excellent, painless, and minimally invasive option for treating this type of tumor. Contact us at IRCA to find out more about this innovative technology.

SOURCES

BMJ. (2024). New understanding of meningioma points to personalized treatments. BMJ, 384, e078078. https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-078078

National Cancer Institute (NIH). (n.d.). Meningioma (tumor of the meninges). https://www.cancer.gov/rare-brain-spine-tumor/espanol/tumores/meningioma

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-a). Diagnosis and treatment of meningioma. https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/meningioma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355648

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.-b). Meninges (image). https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/meningioma/multimedia/meninges/img-20008665

Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN). (n.d.). Press release on brain tumors. https://www.sen.es/saladeprensa/pdf/Link406.pdf

Villalonga, M. L., & Salvati, M. (2016). Meningiomas and neuro-oncology. Neurología Argentina, 8(1), 29–37. https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-neurologia-argentina-301-articulo-meningiomasneurooncologia-S1853002816300052