Meningioma: Anyone else? I'm frightened

Thank you for your reply, back when I was diagnosed with the meningioma (in June of 2024), the neurologist told me that many people live up to 30 years with these things in their heads, because they grow slowly. When I had this second mri done, it has grown. Now I went to see the neurosurgeon and right away he said I should have it removed. I have so many questions, I am really nervous and anxious. I don't know what to think. I told him yes that I wanted to have this surgery done, but I'm really having doubts if I should have the surgery. I'm afraid of all the things that can during the surgery and also after, like possible side effects.

I would also like to mention that I had Leukemia as a child, when I was 10. I underwent treatment including radiation. This neurosurgeon said that a lot of patients that had radiation treatment might develop this meningiomas.

Mary: I went to the ER 3 years ago b/c of tingling down my arm. My husband was worried about a stroke. (It was a nerve issue in my neck.) But, the MRI showed I had a meningioma. I informed my primary care doctor and he said not to worry b/c they found meningiomas all the time when screening for strokes and they usually were benign and didn't cause any real problems. Interestingly enough, I had seen this same doctor at least 4 times about these vague symptoms I had been having over the course of 3 or 4 years. Finally, I put 2 and 2 together and asked him for a referral to a neurologist. I told the neurologist I suspected that maybe these symptoms I had been complaining of were from the meningioma. ( Symptoms are correlated to where the meningioma is and what nerve or struture it is pressing on.) I asked the neurologist where the meningioma was. He actually had the report in hand from the prior MRI. He said, and this is a direct quote, "I don't know." He then excused himself from the room and said he was going to call the radiologist. I heard them talking for 5-10 minutes in the room next to me. The neurologist came back and told me, per the radiologist, that it was pressing on my trigeminal nerve and, yes, those symptoms I had been complaining of could definitely be associated. The neurologist referred me to a neurosurgeon. I will always respect the neurologist for being honest and not trying to b.s. his way through a question he did not know the answer to. I have since been told that a neurologist specializes in diseases of the brain. So, I tend to be long-winded, but you will get an answer to your question most definitively from a radiologist (but we, as patients, don't consult with them) or a neurosurgeon. You didn't mention in your post whether the doctor who is ordering the MRIs is a neurosurgeion but if he is not, I would definitely ask for a referral to one. Also, educate yourself as much as you can before any consultations. Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkin all have good websites discussing meningiomas. Then, I always write down questions I have which I take with me during the consult.

Found out that I have a 2.9cm meningioma last October while being diagnosed for another problem. I don't seem to have any notable symptoms. Had a MRI safe pacemaker implant since then. Am now due for a follow-up MRI. Was now told that MRI is now not possible since I had a stent implant in right coronary artery 12years ago. Problem is that even in pacemaker MRI safe mode, presence of stent will destroy the pacemaker and result in emergency replacement surgery. Only alternative to MRI would be CT scan. Would reduced image resolution be adequate to determine any changes in meningioma since last MRI in October?

I had one in April 2022. I understand every person’s results are different. Benign meningioma was successfully removed. I woke up with drop foot and possibly neuropathy. My sister, an RN, suggested possibly that restraints on arms/legs surgery were not routinely loosened and retightened. For blood flow. I guess I would make that a point to doctor. Be your best advocate.

Hi, I just found out I have a timy Meningioma tumor from a MRI also and my Doctor said they are almost always benign. I too, am going to get an apointmetnt with a neurologist. My Doctor also said they may just wait and see what happens. Best of wishes!