Recognizing the Symptoms of Meningioma

Several symptoms are associated with meningiomas, a primary central nervous system tumor. Meningiomas form in the meninges, the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord. They can put pressure on different parts of the brain, nerves and blood vessels, causing most of their symptoms.

While not as common, symptoms like seizures, poor coordination and hearing deficits can also be signs of meningiomas.

Headaches can be a common sign of meningiomas. Research indicates that more than half of people with these tumors experience headaches, which can continue even after treatment.

Many people also report issues with their eyesight. Being aware of these symptoms can help catch meningiomas early.

Headaches

Headaches are a common issue for people with meningioma. A 2020 study in Neuro-Oncology Advances found that roughly 60.5% of patients reported having headaches before they were diagnosed with meningioma, making headaches the most common symptom among these patients.

After treatment, almost 46% of patients still experience headaches, indicating this problem can continue even after medical intervention.

Getting headaches doesn’t necessarily mean you have a meningioma, so it’s important to be aware of other potential symptoms. These can include changes in your vision, problems with your hearing, seizures or cognitive issues. Recognizing these other symptoms can help differentiate between regular headaches and those related to meningiomas.

Vision Changes

Vision problems are a common symptom of meningioma. The 2020 Nuro-Oncology Advances study found that 32.9% of meningioma patients reported trouble with vision before diagnosis, making it one of the most prevalent symptoms.

While vision problems are a frequent symptom of meningiomas, they often develop slowly. You may gradually experience blurry vision or double vision. As the tumor grows, these symptoms may become more pronounced.

More than 25% of patients with meningiomas report cognitive impairment at the time of diagnosis. Additionally, 20.6% of meningioma patients had motor impairments, like weakness in their arms or legs, upon diagnosis.

Neurological Changes

Cognitive problems, like memory loss, are often seen in people with meningiomas. Mental changes are one of the three most common symptoms of meningiomas, along with headaches and muscle weakness.

People with meningiomas may struggle to remember recent events or conversations, which can make daily interactions difficult. They may have issues with short-term memory, be confused and have difficulty with language.

Motor Skill Impairment

According to the Neuro-Oncology Advances study, motor skill impairment affects more than one in five people with a meningioma. As a result, they may experience problems like weakness, numbness or trouble with movement. Symptom severity can vary based on the meningioma’s location.

A specific type of meningioma — a convexity meningioma — grows on the top or sides of the brain. This subset of meningioma can cause motor skills problems.

Convexity meningiomas usually don’t cause noticeable problems until they become quite large, typically more than three or four centimeters in size.

Meningiomas can cause severe problems, such as seizures, involuntary muscle movements, chronic fatigue and difficulty speaking. These issues arise because the meningioma can put pressure on the brain, cause swelling or affect the nerves. This can lead to challenges with talking, moving and tiredness.

Although surgery might help to alleviate some of these problems, the effects can linger even after treatment, and people often need continued therapy and support to aid their recovery and enhance their quality of life.

Seizures and Uncontrolled Muscle Movements

Seizures and uncontrolled muscle movements are severe complications of meningiomas. They can occur because meningiomas may compress, swell and invade brain tissue.

Uncontrolled muscle movements can happen in different ways. One example, though rare, is hemifacial spasm. This causes twitching on one side of the face, often starting around the eye. Although uncommon, this has been seen in cases of meningioma.

Another way is involuntary twitching and shaking, which primarily occur in foramen magnum meningiomas. These meningiomas are rare, making up no more than three percent of cases, and occur in the opening in the occipital bone near the bottom of the skull.

Some people might experience a loss of muscle strength in the tongue, legs, arms and hands. You may experience pain in your head or behind your eyes. As the condition worsens, you could lose control of your bladder or bowel.

Difficulty Speaking

Speaking may become difficult for some people with advanced meningiomas. Speech problems can include slurred speech, a slow or hesitant pace and changes in volume, where they may speak too softly or loudly. They might also experience alterations in tone, impacting the flow of their speech.

Additionally, many struggle to find the right words, making communication challenging.

These challenges may continue even after treatment, which means people may need extra help and therapy to overcome them.

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a common issue for patients treated for meningioma. This condition can linger long after treatment. Research suggests chronic fatigue is linked to patients’ struggles with thinking and the brain’s ongoing efforts to heal from the damage caused by the meningioma.

A 2023 study published in Neuro-Oncology Advances found that each patient’s circumstances and treatment play a role in their chronic fatigue. The study’s authors wrote that the factors related to treatment are the most promising areas to focus on to help patients feel better.

If you experience sudden seizures, you should seek emergency care immediately.

Otherwise, you should see a doctor if you have persistent or worsening headaches, changes in vision, hearing loss, unexplained memory issues or weakness in your arms or legs. Speech difficulties and progressive muscle weakness may also indicate a meningioma and warrant a visit with a doctor.

You might want to talk with your doctor if you’ve had exposure to possible meningioma causes, such as multiple exposures to radiation to your head, neck or spine. This may be through X-rays or MRIs.

Women who used the injectable Depo-Provera contraceptive for a long time may also be at increased risk and may want to talk to their doctor about any of these symptoms. A 2024 study in the British Medical Journal noted a heightened risk among those women and spurred a growing number of Depo-Provera lawsuits.

Specific signs like double vision or numbness may also indicate meningiomas. Early evaluation is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you have persistent and concerning symptoms, like worsening headaches, it’s essential to schedule a visit with your doctor.