Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that develops in the meninges, the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain. In many cases, meningiomas are benign tumors. Only rare cases of meningioma are cancerous. However, even a benign tumor might require treatment because of its effects on the brain and central nervous system. It is not known what causes people to develop meningioma, but people who undergo radiation therapy to the head are more likely to develop it. Women are also much more commonly affected then men, so scientists believe female hormones might play a role in the development. Meningioma can affect many parts of the brain, and symptoms can vary depending on where the tumor develops.
Personality
When meningioma develops in the brain's frontal lobe, you might notice gradual changes to a person's mood or personality. People with frontal lobe meningioma also might eventually experience paralysis on one side of the body.
Speech Changes
Speech changes are a common symptom of meningioma when the tumor grows on the left side of the brain. Slurring speech and muddling words are common manifestations.
Headaches
Frequent headaches that seem to be getting worse as time gets by are symptoms of meningioma. The headaches develop because meningioma tumors can put a lot of pressure on the skull. This increase in intracranial pressure can lead to headaches.
Vision Changes
Another common meningioma symptom can be sudden vision changes, such as noticing that things appear blurry. Seeing double is another vision problem that can be a sign of meningioma. Vision problems also generally occur because of an increase in intracranial pressure.
Memory Loss
When the temporal lobe of the brain is involved in meningioma, people might notice some memory loss. Coordination can also worsen when tumors develop in the temporal lobe.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms commonly experienced by people with meningioma tumors include seizures, hearing loss, weakness in the arms and legs and difficulty with such tasks as writing.
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