A meningioma is a slow-growing tumor that forms in the meninges, the 3 layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are primary tumors, meaning they develop in the brain and spinal cord’s protective tissue rather than spreading from elsewhere in the body. Most meningiomas are benign (not cancerous).

Meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor, and may sit for years before a doctor discovers them. While they often do not cause problems, some require treatment.

You do not always need immediate treatment for a meningioma. A small, slow-growing tumor that does not cause symptoms may not require treatment. If you and your doctor decide to pursue “active surveillance,” your doctor will periodically do a brain scan to evaluate the meningioma and look for signs of growth.

If the meningioma progresses and needs treatment, our doctors use 2 main approaches: surgery and radiation therapy. We often recommend a combination of these treatments, based on the specific details discovered during diagnosis. You and your doctor work together to identify the best option for you, based on the location of the tumor and its aggressiveness.