​Meningioma

Meningioma is a tumour which grows from one of the three protective sheets (meninges) covering the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common of all brain tumours and is usually benign (noncancerous). Frequently seen in the older age group and more often in women than in men, meningioma grows slowly and may silently exist in your skull for years before showing any signs. It may also be incidentally picked up on an MRI scan. 

A vast array of complaints may represent this tumour, depending on its size and which area of your brain is bothered. Here are the common symptoms:

  • Headaches. Experienced characteristically in the morning and often relieved after vomiting

  • Seizures

  • Blurred vision

  • Hearing loss

  • Memory loss 

  • Weakness in your arms or legs, particularly on one side of body

  • Trouble walking due to loss of balance

  • Speech problems

  • Loss of smell

  • Unusual changes in one’s personality or behaviour ​​

The aforementioned symptoms usually point towards some sort of ailment. Remember they can mimic other diseases too. You are welcome to make an appointment with the faculty working at the Mind and Brain Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital when you come across any of the above mentioned complaints.​

Certain circumstances warrant immediate medical attention, such as a sudden:

  • Onset of severe headache

  • Seizure

  • Alteration in vision or memory

  • Onset of unrecognizable or slurred speech

  • Weakness in any part of body

If you experience these abruptly, do not waste any time in contacting the 24/7 Emergency and Acute Care Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital.​​

Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here​ are some tips to help get you started.​​​
Your assessment shall commence with a few questions from your doctor, followed by a physical examination of your nervous system. This may include evaluation of your vision, hearing, memory, speech, various senses and reflexes. Furthermore, imaging (CT scan or MRI) of your brain may be required.​​

Having a brain tumour can be quite scary; but as long as the meningioma is not troubling you, it really does not need to be removed. Your health care provider will analyse your case and discuss the management, which may or may not be surgery. The following options are available: 

  • Wait and watch method: regular imaging every few months to monitor progress of tumour if symptoms are not significant

  • Stereotactic radiosurgery: stops growth of tumour

  • Surgery: removal of tumour through ear or a window created in skull 

Decision to operate primarily depends on how fast the meningioma is growing and the physical symptoms you may be facing.

After surgery, the extracted tumour might be sent for biopsy. If it is removed completely and/or was benign in nature, follow up scans may be recommended by your physician. However if, in rare cases, it turns out as cancerous (malignant) then radiation therapy will be incorporated in your treatment regimen.​​

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​​

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​​

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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.