What are the treatment options for meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumour arising from the membranes around the brain or spinal cord. Some grow slowly and cause no symptoms, so a specialist may recommend repeat scans and neurological reviews. Others press on nearby tissue or continue to enlarge, making active treatment more appropriate.

Brain tumour surgery may remove all or part of the tumour and can provide tissue for diagnosis. Stereotactic radiosurgery uses precisely directed radiation for selected tumours, especially when surgery is unsuitable or a small area remains. The position of the tumour and its contact with nerves or blood vessels affect the balance of benefit and risk.

Bring your scan reports, medication list, and a record of headaches, seizures, weakness, vision changes, or balance problems. Ask whether observation is reasonable and what change would trigger treatment. If surgery is advised, discuss the aim, expected hospital recovery, effects on nearby functions, and whether a later treatment may be needed.

After treatment, follow-up scans and appointments help the team look for regrowth and manage lasting symptoms. Do not stop anti-seizure or steroid medicine without instructions from the prescribing clinician.

Seek urgent help for a first seizure, a seizure lasting longer than usual, sudden weakness, new speech difficulty, sudden vision loss, severe confusion, or a rapidly worsening headache with vomiting. Contact your treatment team promptly for a new seizure, increasing drowsiness, wound redness, fever, or worsening balance after treatment.

How large is the meningioma and where is it located? Can we monitor it safely? What function could surgery or radiosurgery affect? What follow-up schedule and symptoms should I expect?