Understanding Meningioma Tumors
- A mother of one, from England, was 54 when she mistook hot flashes as menopause, only to be diagnosed with multiple brain tumors two years later.
- After having five tumors removed, Brown now faces additional treatment as some have started to grow again—and hopes sharing her story will raise awareness and support brain tumor research funding.
- Menopause, which the National Institute on Aging describes as a normal part of aging, typically begins in women between the ages of 45 and 55. Symptoms of menopause include body changes, hot flashes, and aches and pains.
- Meningioma tumors arise from the meninges the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Doctors recommend that you see a doctor if you have the sudden onset of seizures or changes in vision or memory as it could be a meningioma; most of the time, meningioma symptoms develop slowly over time but sometimes can require emergency care. Other symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, or weakness in the arms and legs.
- Brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
- When it comes to brain tumors, as new treatment approaches are continually being explored through clinical trials, the standard of care for glioblastoma has remained largely consistent since 2005. It combines maximal safe surgical resection (surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible) followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
“Looking back, the first signs were hot flushes and a warm, tingling sensation that would pass through my body. I thought it was just the menopause, but then I’d go pale, start slurring my words and feel overwhelmingly tired. I didn’t think it was anything serious,” the mom of one, who works as a production manager, said in a recent interview with SWNS.
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After visiting an eye doctor for her vision issues, she was referred to the hospital after swelling was noticed behind her eye.
An MRI scan followed, revealing four tumors, two of which needed to be surgically removed.
“When I woke up after the surgery, they told me they hadn’t found four tumours. They’d found 10. I remember joking ‘every time I speak to you, you find more’ … but inside, I was terrified,” Brown told SWNS.
“I spent about five days in hospital and the tumours were confirmed as meningiomas – the most common form of adult primary brain tumour. I continued to have seizures and was placed on steroids and anti-seizure medication.”
Despite having a tumor removed that was pressing on her optic nerve, Brown—now blind in her right eye—hopes her story will help raise awareness, support research funding, and make others feel less alone.
Brown had a total of five tumors surgically removed, while the remaining ones continue to be carefully monitored. However, at a follow-up appointment, she learned that two of the tumors have started growing again and will require radiotherapy.
Understanding Meningiomas, Symptoms, & When To See Your Doctor
Meningiomas aren’t technically brain tumors, Dr. Suriya Jeyapalan, director of medical neuro-oncology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Mass., previously told SurvivorNet; they are tumors that arise from the meninges the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. But the tumors can compress or squeeze the adjacent brain, nerves and vessels.
Most brain tumors aren’t actually cancerous, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Less than one third about 32% of brain tumors are considered cancerous, or malignant.
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If the tumor is made up of “normal-looking cells,” that means the tumor is benign. However, those kinds of tumors may still require surgery.
The signs and symptoms of a meningioma depend on its location, according to the National Cancer Institute, and may even be subtle at first.
Even though a meningioma isn’t technically a brain tumor, the symptoms are relatively the same as other brain tumors, such as a glioblastoma. The symptoms of a brain tumor, or even brain cancer if the tumor is malignant, can frequently and easily change, Jeyapalan tells SurvivorNet.
“But for I think this is the take home message for I think a lot of patients: Brain cancer is actually really rare,” Jeyapalan explained. “Lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, are much more common.”
“Everybody’s always scared about getting their brain tumor and, you know, ‘Oh, should I be using my cell phone or what not,’ and I tell them, ‘No, you should be much more scared about the fact that you’re, you know, you’re hypertensive, you’re diabetic, you have high cholesterol, you’re overweight, you’re not exercising enough,” she added.
Symptoms can include:
- Changes in vision seeing double or blurriness
- Headaches, especially ones that are worse in the morning
- Hearing loss
- Memory loss or confusion
- Loss of smell
- Seizures
It’s recommended that you see a doctor if you have the sudden onset of seizures, or changes in vision or memory as it could be a meningioma; most of the time, meningioma symptoms develop slowly over time, but sometimes can require emergency care.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel you have symptoms, such as headaches that worsen over time, that concern you. But most times, meningiomas are only discovered on scans for reasons that turn out to be unrelated to the tumor.
Making Sense of a Brain Tumor Diagnosis
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can either be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign), and depending on where the tumor forms on the brain, doctors determine its type, potential symptoms, and potential treatment.
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Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumors
Brain tumors impact a person’s brain function and overall health, depending on their size, type, and location within the brain. Tumors that grow big enough and disrupt normal central nervous system functioning can press on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or other tissues. The disrupted central nervous system can present in various ways, making walking or maintaining balance difficult.
However, it’s important to know that brain tumors do not always cause symptoms.
Other signs of brain tumors may include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty speaking or thinking
- Weakness
- Behavioral changes
- Vision changes
- Seizures
- Loss of hearing
- Confusion
- Memory loss
Types of Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Brain Tumors
A brain tumor can affect you differently depending on its location and if it is cancerous. Some brain tumors are non-cancerous (or benign). According to the National Cancer Institute, some examples of these types of brain tumors include:
- Chordomas are primarily benign and slow-growing and are often found near the tailbone or where the spine meets the skull.
- Craniopharyngiomas are rare, slow-growing tumors that don’t spread to other parts of the brain or body. They form near the pituitary gland near the base of the brain.
- Gangliocytomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system that tend to form on the temporal lobe (the left or right side of the brain).
- Glomus jugulare are rare and slow-growing tumors.
- Meningiomas are rare brain tumors that usually form on the outer layer of tissue that covers the brain (dura mater).
- Pineocytomas are rare and slow-growing tumors located in the pineal gland near the middle of the brain.
- Pituitary adenomas are slow-growing brain tumors of the anterior pituitary located in the lower part of the brain.
- Schwannomas are rare tumors that grow on the cells that protect nerve cells. They are called Schwann cells.
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannoma) are slow-growing tumors that develop from the nerves that help balance and hearing.
Other brain tumors are malignant or cancerous. These kinds of tumors include:
- Gliomas are the most common form of cancerous and aggressive primary brain tumors.
- Astrocytoma (glioma) forms in astrocytes (star-shaped cells). Depending on how aggressive or fast they grow and impact brain tissue, these tumors are classified into four grades.
- Ependymomas are tumors classified into three grades depending on how aggressive or fast they grow.
- Oligodendroglioma tumors are classified into grades depending on their growth speed. Grade 2 oligodendroglioma tumors are slow-growing and can invade nearby tissue, but they may not present symptoms for many years before detection. Meanwhile, grade 3 oligodendroglioma tumors proliferate.
- Medulloblastoma tumors are classified into four different grades depending on their aggressive nature or how quickly they grow.
- Glioblastoma, which is considered a central nervous system (CNS) tumor, is the most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults.
Treatments for Brain Tumors
Treatment options for brain cancer depend on a variety of factors, including the size and type of the tumor as well as the grade of the tumor.
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are options doctors use to treat brain tumors. Cancer warriors are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their situation and the best treatment options.
The prognosis for brain cancer, or how likely it is to be cured, depends on a few things, including:
- The type of brain tumor
- How fast the brain tumor is growing
- The tumor’s location
- If there are DNA changes in the cells of the brain tumor
- If the entire tumor can be removed with surgery
- Your overall health
Your doctor will be able to help you understand your specific and unique circumstances and how they relate to your prognosis.
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Understanding Perimenopause/Menopause
It’s understandable how Brown likened her symptoms to menopause, however, her story is a reminder to always be your own advocate and get seek multiple doctor opinions when trying to understand when something feels off with your body.
Menopause is described by the National Institute on Aging, as “a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period.” Additionally, “The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.”
The average age women go through the menopausal transition, which usually lasts approximately seven to 14 years, ranges between ages 45 and 55.
“The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity,” the institute explains.
“The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.”
As for early menopause, the National Cancer Institute says it’s a condition which causes the ovaries to stop working and menstrual periods to stop before a woman turns 40. It’s a transition that can lead to fertility issues and symptoms of menopause.
Additionally, early menopause is split up into two types, primary and secondary. According to the National Cancer Institute, “There are two types of early menopause, primary and secondary. Primary early menopause means that the ovaries do not function normally. This may be because they have been removed by surgery, or it may be caused by some cancer treatments and certain diseases or genetic conditions.
“In secondary early menopause, the ovaries are normal but there is a problem getting hormone signals to them from the brain. This is usually caused by diseases of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Some women with early menopause sometimes have menstrual periods and may be able to have children. Also called ovarian failure, ovarian insufficiency, and premature menopause.”
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Remember, a component of advocating for yourself in healthcare includes going back to the doctor multiple times and even getting multiple opinions.
Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.
“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest of information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you find yourself experiencing unusual symptoms such as hot flashes or a part of your body that’s painful to touch, these are things you should bring to your doctor’s attention.
Here are some takeaways to think about when talking to your doctor.
- Are you experiencing pain or fever that won’t go away?
- Are you gaining or losing weight unexplainable?
- Have you discovered any bumps, spots on your skin, or lumps on parts of your body that cannot be explained?
- Are you struggling to get a good night’s rest?
- Are you noticing changes in your bathroom habits such as blood in your urine or stool?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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