National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Meningioma

Meningiomas are tumors that originate in the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are not cancerous (benign), though a minority of meningiomas can be classified as atypical or cancerous (malignant).[1][2] Though rare, malignant meningiomas can be highly aggressive.[2] However, even benign meningiomas can cause problems if their growth affects neighboring areas of the brain. Though most meningiomas grow slowly, there is no way to predict the rate of growth for a particular meningioma or to know how long a specific meningioma was growing before it was diagnosed. Signs and symptoms can vary but may include seizures, headaches, weakness in the arms and legs, and vision loss. Sometimes memory loss, carelessness, and unsteadiness are the only symptoms.[1] Management depends on the location of the meningioma and symptoms present and may include observation, surgery, and/or radiation therapy.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 10/23/2015

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Chromosomal breakage induced by ionizing radiation 0010997
Increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation 0011133
Intracranial meningioma 0100009
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal brain FDG positron emission tomography 0012658
Amenorrhea
Abnormal absence of menstruation
0000141
Bitemporal hemianopia 0030521
Decreased circulating ACTH level 0002920
Decreased circulating cortisol level
Low blood cortisol level
0008163
Decreased circulating follicle stimulating hormone level 0030341
Decreased circulating luteinizing hormone level 0030344
Decreased serum estradiol 0008214
Decreased serum testosterone level
Decreased serum testosterone levels
Low serum testosterone level
Low serum testosterone levels
[ more ] 		0040171
Focal T2 hypointense thalamic lesion 0012691
Focal-onset seizure
Seizure affecting one half of brain
0007359
Headache
Headaches
0002315
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism 0000044
Impotence
Difficulty getting a full erection
Difficulty getting an erection
[ more ] 		0000802
Increased circulating prolactin concentration 0000870
Nausea and vomiting 0002017
Pituitary hypothyroidism
Low thyroid gland function due to abnormal pituitary gland
0008245
Secondary growth hormone deficiency 0008240
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal central sensory function 0011730
Abnormal cerebellum morphology
Abnormality of the cerebellum
Cerebellar abnormalities
Cerebellar abnormality
Cerebellar anomaly
[ more ] 		0001317
Abnormal kinetic perimetry test 0030591
Abnormality of the sense of smell
Abnormal sense of smell
Smell defect
[ more ] 		0004408
Ataxia 0001251
Difficulty walking
Difficulty in walking
0002355
Enlarged pituitary gland 0012505
Facial palsy
Bell's palsy
0010628
Hemiparesis
Weakness of one side of body
0001269
Hydrocephalus
Too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain
0000238
Hypothalamic hypothyroidism 0008237
Increased intracranial pressure
Rise in pressure inside skull
0002516
Lower limb muscle weakness
Lower extremity weakness
Lower limb weakness
Muscle weakness in lower limbs
[ more ] 		0007340
Neoplasm of the anterior pituitary 0011750
Neurofibromas 0001067
Obesity
Having too much body fat
0001513
Oculomotor nerve palsy 0012246
Ophthalmoplegia
Eye muscle paralysis
0000602
Papilledema 0001085
Reduced circulating prolactin concentration 0008202
Slow decrease in visual acuity
Slow decrease in sharpness of vision
0007924
Spinal meningioma 0100010
Trigeminal neuralgia 0100661
Upper limb muscle weakness
Decreased arm strength
Weak arm
[ more ] 		0003484
Visual acuity test abnormality 0030532
Weak extraocular muscles 0007715
1%-4% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of the mediastinum 0045026
Abnormality on pulmonary function testing 0030878
Back pain 0003418
Blindness 0000618
Brain stem compression 0002512
Cerebral hemorrhage
Bleeding in brain
0001342
Ear pain
Pain in the ear
0030766
Emotional lability
Emotional instability
0000712
Excessive daytime somnolence
More than typical sleepiness during day
0001262
Hemifacial spasm
Spasms on one side of the face
0010828
Neoplasm of the posterior pituitary 0011752
Neoplasm of the tongue 0100648
Neurological speech impairment
Speech disorder
Speech impairment
Speech impediment
[ more ] 		0002167
Progressive pulmonary function impairment 0006520
Proptosis
Bulging eye
Eyeballs bulging out
Prominent eyes
Prominent globes
Protruding eyes
[ more ] 		0000520
Syncope
Fainting spell
0001279
Tinnitus
Ringing in ears
Ringing in the ears
[ more ] 		0000360
Transient global amnesia 0010534
Urinary incontinence
Loss of bladder control
0000020
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
The treatment varies depending on the location of the meningioma and the symptoms caused by the tumor.[1][2] Careful observation is sometimes the best course of action for people with a meningioma. When treatment is necessary, surgery and radiation are the most common forms of treatment.[2][3] Radiation may be used if the meningioma cannot be operated on or if the meningioma is only partially removed by surgery. Radiation may also be used in cases of malignant, atypical, or recurrent tumors.[2] Other treatments that have been tried or are being explored include hydroxyurea, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitors, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, immunotherapy to stimulate the immune system, and somatostatin analogs which prevent the release of growth hormones.[2]
Last updated: 10/23/2015

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Meningioma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The National Cancer Institute provides the most current information on cancer for patients, health professionals, and the general public.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Facts about Meningiomas. Brigham and Women's Hospital. Feb 27, 2015; http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/neurosurgery/meningioma/meningiomafacts.aspx. Accessed 10/23/2015.
  2. Meningioma Brochure. American Brain Tumor Association. 2012. http://www.abta.org/secure/meningioma-brochure.pdf. Accessed 10/23/2015.
  3. Meningioma. American Brain Tumor Association. http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/meningioma.html. Accessed 10/23/2015.