Meningioma: Anyone else? I'm frightened

@as72: It's always so scary to hear there is any kind of growth in our brains. But as your doctor stated they are almost always benign. There are a lot of very informative posts on this forum so scroll back with pen and pencil in hand and reading about other's experiences will help you formulate a list of questions to ask the neurologist. Personally, I think one of the most important questions is,- based on my meningioma's location what critical structures is it impacting? - Knowing this will help you decide if you can just lay low and not worry too much or if you should be more proactive in choosing a course of action.

welcome to the group,
small and benign is good, I'm not a doctor but from all the post they grow at a very slow rate.
i wouldnt really panic because had the doctor needed to get you in right now , then i may ave been concerned. my tumor took over a year of growing from what they told me and came from my lung. just saying, now ill say a prayer for you--------sent.

I had CT last week after I slipped to scan for fracture and was found. Going for mri next week and see neurologist. Said it was small and benign but very scary

@randallallen allshields56 thank you for your support and your prayers . Jesus does heal.

@drjohevans hope all goes well for you. Best wishes.
I just had my Meningioma removed. So far so good

Grade 3 meningiomas exhibit aggressive growth patterns, and limited empirical studies and reported findings suggest a resemblance to cancerous cell growth patterns. Recognizing this can help patients and caregivers feel understood and supported as they face a challenging diagnosis. I am certain the Neuro-Oncologist who provided you with the information you shared obtained it from the limited reporting. As a Neuro-Behavioral Psychologist, I have the distinct honor of working alongside 2 of the leading scholar-practitioners (a Neurologist-Neuro-Oncologist and a Neurosurgeon-Neuro-Ophthalmologist) whose work is dedicated solely to meningioma brain tumors.
Known Facts:
*To date, there is no known cause or cure for meningioma brain tumors.
*Meningiomas do have a higher prevalence rate in women and an even higher rate of occurrence in women of color, particularly African American women, ages 50-70.
* The rise of current lawsuits regarding the increase in female hormones does not address estrogen (although HRT has been alluded to in retrospective studies [whereas this approach has extreme limitations, with data quality] ) as a contributing factor to the increase in meningioma brain tumors in women; however, scientific evidence identifies progestogen (found in Depo-Provera birth control) to be a known culprit.
* No matter the Grade, location, or treatment protocols used, this brain disease has debilitating outcomes for a vast majority of us who are survivors-thrivers. I speak from lived experience.

Congress allocates hundreds of millions of dollars annually, funds I have seen during my decade as a National Brain Tumor Society Ambassador, to support brain tumor research. Most of this funding targets childhood brain cancer and aggressive adult tumors, not meningioma brain tumors.

Because there is no direct link between pharmaceuticals used in treatment and meningioma development, funding for meningioma research remains limited. Women's health and advocacy are underfunded and less prioritized within the healthcare ecosystem, affecting research and services. Go Well...

@drjohevans My understanding that a grade 3 meningioma is considered cancer. (Per a neuro oncologist I consulted) Also, the same neuro doctor said since they are more prevalent in women than men there is the thought that estrogen might play a role. Of course, money isn't available to do in-depth studies regarding all of our human health issues so perhaps we will never know of particular factors that predisposes one to developing these usually benign tumors.

@staywell All meningiomas are considered benign. That simply means the lesions on the meninges (aka meningiomas) are non-cancerous. Meningioma brain tumors should not be thought of as non-serious. There is no known cause or cure for this enigma of a primary brain tumor.

There are numerous factors during the diagnosis and treatment of meningiomas that lead to life-altering, debilitating changes in ones health-related quality of life. I am an 11-year survivor-thriver of an R Spheno-orbital/Sphenoid wing with cavernous sinus involvement meningioma.

Go well...

Some great people are ready to step up and help you alongside you and give you support, count me in too, prayer groups and prayer chains help emmensly. Have a blessed day and try best to relax some, stress doesn't help, with me I get a headache. You're in good company here.

I'm in the sa.e boat as you and very scared. I have looked up e every thing I can find on the internet not sure this is a good thing. I have an appointment on December the 10th. Iam finding a lot of peace in prayer