{"id":11868,"date":"2026-05-25T15:18:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T13:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurohirurgija.in.rs\/?page_id=11868"},"modified":"2026-06-18T12:17:23","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:17:23","slug":"meningiomas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurohirurgija.in.rs\/en\/meningiomas\/","title":{"rendered":"Meningioma \u2014 Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Author:<\/span>\n \n Dr. Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD, PhD\n <\/a>\n \u2014 Consultant Neurosurgeon\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Specialized Experience:<\/span>\n 30 years of clinical expertise in neurosurgery.\n <\/div>\n\n
\n Last medically reviewed:<\/span>\n March 08, 2026\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Who This Meningioma Page Is For<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n

\n This page is intended for patients in whom MRI or CT has revealed a meningioma, as well as for individuals who have been advised to consider observation, surgical removal, or radiation therapy. It may be particularly helpful for patients experiencing symptoms such as headaches, seizures, visual disturbances, progressive weakness, balance problems, or other neurological changes that may be related to a tumor arising from the meninges surrounding the brain.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n If surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife), radiotherapy, or long-term MRI monitoring has been proposed \u2014 or if specialists have offered different recommendations regarding the urgency or type of treatment \u2014 an individualized \n \n neurosurgical second opinion\n <\/a>\n may help clarify the biological behavior of the tumor, expected risks of neurological deterioration, likelihood of recurrence, and the safest balance between observation, surgery, and radiation therapy based on tumor size, location, growth rate, and overall neurological status.\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n When patients seek a second opinion for meningioma\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n \u2022 MRI or CT has revealed a meningioma, but it is unclear whether observation, surgery, or radiation therapy is the most appropriate strategy\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2022 The tumor has been discovered incidentally and different specialists recommend either monitoring with MRI or early surgical removal\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2022 Progressive headaches, seizures, visual disturbances, weakness, or balance problems suggest that the tumor may be affecting surrounding brain structures\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2022 Surgery has been recommended, but the expected neurological risks, likelihood of complete removal, or long-term prognosis remain unclear\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2022 Stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife) or fractionated radiotherapy has been proposed, yet it is uncertain whether radiation or surgery would provide better tumor control\n <\/div>\n
\n \u2022 Different specialists recommend observation, microsurgical removal, radiosurgery, or combined treatment without clear agreement\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n If your situation involves uncertainty regarding diagnosis, urgency, or treatment strategy, you may request an individualized neurosurgical review here:\n \n Request Second Opinion\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n Meningioma \u2014 Quick Summary (Read This First)\n <\/h3>\n\n
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  • Meningioma is a tumor arising from the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.<\/strong> \n These membranes, called the meninges, surround and protect the central nervous system.<\/li>\n\n
  • Most meningiomas grow outside the brain tissue.<\/strong> \n They usually compress nearby brain structures rather than invading them directly.<\/li>\n\n
  • Meningiomas represent the most common primary intracranial tumor in adults.<\/strong> \n Epidemiological studies show that they account for approximately 35\u201341% of primary brain tumors.<\/li>\n\n
  • Many meningiomas grow slowly and may remain stable for years.<\/strong> \n A substantial proportion (60-80%) of meningiomas discovered incidentally on MRI do not require immediate treatment.<\/li>\n\n
  • Symptoms depend mainly on tumor location.<\/strong> \n Headaches, seizures, progressive weakness, visual disturbances, balance problems, or personality changes may occur when the tumor compresses specific brain regions.<\/li>\n\n
  • MRI with contrast is the most important diagnostic test.<\/strong> \n It allows physicians to determine meningioma size, location, surrounding edema, and the relationship of the tumor to critical brain structures.<\/li>\n\n
  • Not all meningiomas require immediate surgery.<\/strong> \n Many small or asymptomatic tumors are initially managed with MRI monitoring, particularly when imaging shows minimal growth and the tumor is not compressing critical structures.<\/li>\n\n
  • Surgery remains the main treatment for symptomatic or growing meningiomas.<\/strong> \n The goal is safe tumor removal while preserving neurological function.<\/li>\n\n
  • Radiation therapy (including stereotactic radiosurgery such as Gamma Knife) may control tumor growth in selected cases.<\/strong> \n It may be used for small tumors in surgically difficult locations, for residual tumor after surgery, or in selected patients when surgery carries higher risk.<\/li>\n\n
  • Treatment decisions depend mainly on tumor size, location, growth, symptoms, and relationship to critical structures.<\/strong> \n In most patients, the safest strategy is individualized rather than automatic.<\/li>\n\n
  • Prognosis depends mainly on tumor grade, location, and completeness of removal.<\/strong> \n Benign meningiomas that can be completely removed usually have an excellent long-term outcome.<\/li>\n\n
  • Although most meningiomas are benign, large tumors or tumors located near critical structures can still cause serious neurological problems.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n

    \n Most readers benefit from reviewing this Quick Summary together with the sections on Symptoms<\/strong>, Diagnosis<\/strong>, Surgical Treatment<\/strong>, Radiation Therapy<\/strong>, and Treatment Decision-Making<\/strong>. Later sections provide more detailed explanations intended for patients seeking a deeper understanding before important treatment decisions are made.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n