7 October 2019 Author : João Abreu Lima Cerebral meningioma originates in the arachnoid cells of the cerebral meninges and is the most common intracranial primary tumor . It affects women more often than men in a 2 to 1 ratio and has a peak incidence at 45 years of age. What are the main features of cerebral meningioma? Although usually benign, cerebral meningioma may present more aggressive variants, with invasive characteristics and rapid progression. Cases of young patients or multiple tumors may be associated with a genetic disease called neurofibromatosis type 1 or von Recklinghausen disease . How is cerebral meningioma diagnosed? Often the diagnosis has an incidental context. That is, the identification of meningioma arises during diagnostic tests requested for other reasons, although the patient is asymptomatic. The number of cases diagnosed in these circumstances has been increasing, which is justified by the increasing availability and access to technologically advanced diagnostic techniques . Computed tomography (CT) and brain magnetic resonance imaging are the most used imaging exams for this purpose. On the other hand, meningioma can cause neurological symptoms resulting from the compressive effect of the tumor on the brain , or indirectly through cerebral edema. Some examples of symptoms that justify directed exams are: Language alteration; Motor deficit (eg hemiparesis) Vision changes; Epilepsy; Headaches; Vomiting. How is cerebral meningioma treated? When necessary, the treatment of choice for cerebral meningioma is surgical removal . The tumor may appear at various locations in the brain and surgical treatment is curative whenever it is possible to remove the entire tumor . Radiotherapy treatments can be considered in very specific cases. The overall 5-year survival of meningioma patients after diagnosis is approximately 91% . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
