Meningioma

At Montefiore Einstein Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, you can access exceptional care for meningioma. As a global leader in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery, we are an academic-based, national and international referral site for the most complex and high-risk cases. For over a century, we have been at the forefront of innovation, research and clinical care for ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck conditions.

Ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for complex specialty care according to U.S. News & World Report, Montefiore Einstein continues to make advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ENT and head and neck conditions. Our multidisciplinary team of world-renowned specialists has pioneered many of the otorhinolaryngological techniques used today and is passionate about uncovering the latest diagnostic approaches and treatments that can improve outcomes.

At Montefiore Einstein Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, you can expect compassionate, personalized, research-based treatment plans that meet the highest standards for quality and safety. We are one of the first and few centers in the nation to routinely offer incisionless transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery (TONES) for minimally invasive access to very complex skull base tumors through the eye.

When you need meningioma care, turn to our dedicated providers who will develop a highly personalized treatment plan.

A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It is not a brain tumor, but it may put pressure on the brain, nerves and vessels. Most meningiomas grow slowly without causing symptoms. As a result, they do not necessarily need immediate treatment but may be monitored over time.

The exact cause of a meningioma is unclear. Scientists believe that changes occur in some cells in the meninges, causing them to multiply out of control and form a meningioma.

Symptoms of a meningioma often begin slowly and depend on the precise location of the meningioma. These symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision, such as double or blurred visions
• Difficulty speaking
• Headaches that are worse in the morning
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Loss of smell
• Memory loss
• Seizures
• Weakness in the arms or legs

If your physician suspects the presence of a meningioma, you may be referred to a neurologist to confirm the diagnosis. Your neurologist will conduct a comprehensive neurological exam, followed by diagnostic tests, including:

• A computed tomography (CT) scan: using advanced X-ray technology to capture a complete picture of the brain
• A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: providing a more detailed picture of the brain and meningiomas
• A biopsy: a sample of the tumor sent to a lab for evaluation to rule out other types of tumors and confirm a meningioma diagnosis

Treatment for a meningioma depends on several factors, including the size and location of the tumor, its rate of growth and the patient’s age and overall health. Not everyone with a meningioma needs treatment right away. A small, slow-growing meningioma that isn’t causing symptoms may not need treatment. If your physician finds that the meningioma is growing and needs to be treated, options include:

• Surgery: to remove as much of the meningioma as possible
• Radiation therapy: to destroy any remaining meningioma cells and help reduce the chance of recurrence

Types of radiation therapy for meningiomas include:

• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS): This type of radiation treatment delivers several beams of powerful radiation to a precise point. Radiosurgery does not involve scalpels or incisions and is most often performed in an outpatient setting.
• Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (FSRT): This radiation treatment is administered in small fractions over time. This approach may be used when radiosurgery is not a viable solution.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): This type of radiation treatment uses advanced technology to lower the intensity of radiation at the site of the meningioma. 
• Proton beam radiation: This type of radiation treatment uses radioactive protons aimed directly at the tumor, which reduces damage to the surrounding tissue.