Meningioma

A meningioma is a tumor arising from the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Most grow slowly, but some invade nearby tissue or recur.

Meninges: The three protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas arise from cells associated with these membranes.
Magnetic resonance imaging: A medical imaging method that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed internal images. MRI commonly identifies a meningioma and shows its relation to nearby structures.
Harvey Cushing: An American neurosurgeon who helped establish modern brain surgery and described many intracranial tumors. His early clinical and pathological work shaped the understanding of meningiomas.
Glioma: A tumor arising from glial cells or their presumed precursors in the central nervous system. Gliomas arise within neural tissue, unlike meningiomas that arise from its coverings.
Optic nerve sheath meningioma: A meningioma arising from the meninges surrounding the optic nerve. Its location can progressively impair vision even when the tumor grows slowly.
WHO classification of central nervous system tumors: The World Health Organization system for classifying tumors of the brain, spinal cord, and related tissues. It assigns meningiomas grades that estimate recurrence and aggressive behavior.
Computed tomography: An imaging method that combines X-ray measurements to create cross-sectional images. CT can reveal calcification and bone changes around a meningioma.
Percivall Pott: An English surgeon whose eighteenth-century work linked occupational exposure to cancer. His observations of cancer among chimney sweeps helped establish environmental causes of meningeal tumors.
Schwannoma: A usually benign tumor arising from Schwann cells that form the insulating sheath around peripheral nerves. A schwannoma can resemble a meningioma near cranial nerves but has a different cellular origin.
Cavernous sinus meningioma: A meningioma involving the cavernous sinus, a venous space beside the pituitary gland. Its position near cranial nerves and major vessels can limit safe surgical removal.

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