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Meningioma

Meningioma Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Numbness on one side of your face and difficulty speaking may point to a more serious underlying condition. If you have weakness in your arms or legs and experience sudden confusion, don’t ignore these symptoms. Additionally, dizziness, vision loss, and severe headaches may indicate meningioma or another serious condition. Seek the help of a qualified neurosurgeon in Flowood, MS, as soon as possible.

A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the meninges, which cover the spinal cord or brain. When they are healthy, the tissues protect your brain and nervous system from germs and other material that can impact these delicate structures. Meningiomas grow slowly and most are benign. However, they can put pressure on the brain.

The Causes and Risk Factors of Meningioma

It isn’t clear what causes meningioma to form in your central nervous system. Doctors and researchers have discovered that something changes the cells in the meninges, causing them to increase abnormally. This leads to a tumor and may be associated with a genetic disposition for the condition, hormonal changes in women, and exposure to radiation. There is no evidence that definitively links cell phone use to meningioma.

Risk Factors

Dr. Adam Lewis is an experienced neurosurgeon who received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University before completing his medical studies at Georgetown and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He excels at explaining medical conditions in simple language to ensure that you understand the recommended treatment plan.
Keep in mind that having a risk factor doesn’t mean you will develop a meningioma. Risk factors for this condition include the following:

  • Breast cancer and other forms of cancer
  • Exposure to radiation
  • Radiation treatment
  • A family history of neurofibromatosis or meningioma
  • High levels of estrogen in women
  • Skull fracture

Meningioma Symptoms

Many meningiomas do not show symptoms or cause issues when they first begin to form. The signs you experience depend on the location and size of the tumor. Here are some of the common symptoms that may lead to a diagnosis for meningioma:

  • Headaches upon waking up
  • Seizures
  • Memory loss
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in vision
  • Weakness in the limbs
  • Personality changes
  • Difficulty speaking

If you have any of the above symptoms, contact Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic so that we can help diagnose and treat the issue. When you come to us, we combat fear with accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment.

Meningioma Diagnosis and Treatment

Our staff will take your medical history, and Dr. Lewis may order an x-ray, CT, MRI, or ultrasound to locate the tumor. If you have a meningioma, you should begin treatment right away.

Treatment could consist of the following options, which vary depending on your situation:

  • Subsequent visits to monitor the progress
  • Surgery to excise the tumor
  • Endovascular embolization to stop blood flow to the tumor
  • Hormone therapy to reduce tumors relying on estrogen to grow
  • Radiation therapy to shrink the tumor
  • Chemotherapy to kill malignant cells

Make an appointment at Jackson Neurosurgery Clinic today. Dr. Lewis can diagnose and treat meningioma and other tumors affecting your nervous system. He is a recognized specialist in the treatment of conditions related to the human brain. He is trained in a variety of treatment techniques within the field of neuroscience and is credited with developing instrumentation that allows greater precision in diagnoses and more positive patient outcomes. As a pioneer in endoscopic brain surgery, Dr. Lewis was the first in Mississippi to operate on and remove a vascular malformation from the brain stem and thalamus.

Call (601) 366-1011 to ask questions about your meningioma symptoms and to secure an appointment as soon as possible. We’ll find a solution that works for you.