meningioma

a slow-growing TUMOUR affecting the MENINGES of the BRAIN or SPINAL CORD that exerts pressure on the underlying nervous tissue. It may cause PARAPLEGIA or other losses of sensation if present in the spinal cord. In the brain it causes increasing neurological disability. A meningioma can be present for many years without being detected. The usual treatment is surgical removal if the tumour is accessible. MALIGNANT meningiomas, known as meningeal sarcomas, can invade surrounding tissues. These are treated by means of surgery and also RADIOTHERAPY .