A meningioma is a tumour that grows from the meninges, the thin layers that cover the brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are slow-growing and benign, and many never need treatment, but some grow, press on the brain and cause symptoms. Finding the right treatment for a meningioma can be challenging. This page explains what a meningioma is, its grades, symptoms and diagnosis, how doctors treat it, and how supportive homeopathic treatment for meningioma is offered at Welling Homeopathy in Mumbai and online alongside your neurosurgeon’s care.
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Meningioma at a glance
- What it is: a tumour of the meninges, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord; the most common primary brain tumour in adults.
- Grades: about 80% are grade 1 (benign), the rest grade 2 (atypical) or rarely grade 3 (malignant).
- Symptoms: headaches, seizures, vision changes, weakness, memory or personality change; many are found by chance on a scan.
- Treatment: watchful waiting with MRI, surgery, or radiotherapy including radiosurgery, depending on size, site, grade and symptoms.
- Homeopathy: offered as supportive care alongside, never instead of, neurosurgical and oncology treatment.
What is a meningioma?
A meningioma arises from the arachnoid cells of the meninges. It can occur on the surface of the brain, at the base of the skull or along the spinal cord. It is the most common primary tumour of the brain in adults, affects women more than men, and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70, although it can affect adults and, rarely, children.
Meningiomas are classified by how the cells look and behave. Benign (grade 1) meningiomas are slow-growing and do not usually spread beyond their origin point. Atypical (grade 2) meningiomas are more aggressive and more likely to return, but still rarely spread. Malignant or anaplastic (grade 3) meningiomas are rare but serious; they can invade other parts of the brain or spinal cord and require immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of meningioma
Because meningiomas grow slowly, symptoms may be absent for years and come on gradually. They depend on where the tumour sits:
- Headaches that are new, persistent or worse in the morning
- Seizures
- Blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in part of the visual field
- Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
- Memory problems, confusion, personality or mood changes
- Loss of smell, hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Difficulty speaking or balance problems
- Back pain or leg weakness with spinal meningiomas
The three grades of meningioma
| Grade | Name | How common | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Benign meningioma | About 80% | Slow-growing; may stay stable for years; can often be cured by complete surgery |
| Grade 2 | Atypical meningioma | About 15 to 20% | More likely to grow back; may need surgery and radiotherapy |
| Grade 3 | Anaplastic (malignant) meningioma | Rare, 1 to 3% | Aggressive; needs multimodal specialist treatment |
Causes and risk factors
- Previous radiation to the head, the best-established risk factor
- Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and other inherited conditions
- Female sex hormones: more common in women, and sometimes growth during pregnancy or with certain hormone treatments
- Obesity
- Age: risk increases with age
- Most meningiomas have no clear cause
How a meningioma is diagnosed
If you have symptoms that suggest a meningioma, your doctor will arrange imaging:
- MRI of the brain with contrast, the best test, which shows a well-defined tumour attached to the meninges
- CT scan, useful for calcification and bone changes
- Angiography in some cases, to plan surgery
- Biopsy or examination of the tumour after surgery, to establish its grade
- Blood work and tests to rule out other causes of the symptoms
How meningiomas are treated
Treatment depends on the size and location of the tumour, its grade, your symptoms, and your overall health and medical history:
- Observation: small, symptom-free meningiomas may not need treatment, and are followed with regular MRI scans
- Surgery to remove the tumour, which can be curative for many grade 1 meningiomas when removal is complete
- Radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife), if surgery is not possible or tumour remains after surgery
- Medicines for seizures and brain swelling, such as anti-seizure drugs and steroids
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are rarely used, for aggressive or recurrent tumours
- Regular follow-up scans, because meningiomas can return
Homeopathic treatment for meningioma
At Welling Homeopathy, homeopathic treatment is offered as supportive care alongside your neurosurgical and oncology treatment, not in place of it. We suggest starting as soon as the diagnosis is made, or soon after surgery, radiation or other treatment is completed, so that nutrition, wellbeing and recovery can be supported. A detailed history, your scan reports and your treatment plan are reviewed at the first consultation.
Our clinical experience with meningioma
Finding the right treatment for Meningioma can be challenging, but at Welling Homeopathy Clinics we can help you get well and recover faster.
Our specially formulated homeopathy treatment for Meningioma provides our new innovative Homeopathic approach to halting cancer progress.
At Welling Homeopathy Clinics, we have a specially formulated Homeopathy treatment for Meningioma which can halt the progress of cancer. That is the reason we suggest to start our Homeopathy treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made or soon after the chemo or radiation for Meningioma is completed.
To book a personal consultation with Dr Sourabh Welling, M.D., call +91 8080 850 950 or use our contact page. See also homeopathy specialist for cancer and the 4-step supportive protocol.
When to get urgent help
- A first seizure, or a seizure that does not stop
- Sudden severe headache, vomiting or drowsiness
- Rapid loss of vision, speech or strength
- Confusion or marked personality change
- A fall or collapse
Frequently asked questions about meningioma
1. What is a meningioma?
A meningioma is a tumour of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign and slow-growing.
2. Is a meningioma cancer?
Most meningiomas (about 80%) are grade 1 and benign, so they are brain tumours rather than cancers. A small number are atypical or malignant.
3. What are the symptoms of a meningioma?
Headaches, seizures, vision changes, weakness, memory or personality changes. Many meningiomas cause no symptoms and are found by chance.
4. How is a meningioma diagnosed?
With an MRI scan of the brain with contrast, sometimes with CT, and by examining the tumour tissue after surgery to find its grade.
5. Do all meningiomas need surgery?
No. Small, symptom-free meningiomas may be watched with regular MRI scans. Surgery or radiotherapy is advised for growing or symptomatic tumours.
6. Can a meningioma come back?
Yes, particularly higher grade meningiomas or those not completely removed. Follow-up scans are important.
7. Can homeopathy treat a meningioma?
Welling Homeopathy offers supportive care, as described in our clinical experience above, alongside neurosurgical and oncology treatment. It is not a substitute for scans, surgery or radiotherapy.
8. When should homeopathic treatment be started?
Our doctors suggest starting as soon as the diagnosis is made, or soon after surgery or radiotherapy is completed, alongside your specialist’s plan.
9. What is the survival rate for a meningioma?
For grade 1 meningiomas the outlook is generally good, and many people live a normal lifespan. Outcomes are poorer for higher grades and depend on the tumour site and age.
10. Where can I get supportive care for a meningioma in Mumbai?
Welling Homeopathy sees patients in Andheri East, Matunga and Thane West and online.
Related Reading
- Homeopathy Specialist for Cancer
- Understanding Cancer Care at Welling Homeopathy
- 4 Step Cancer Treatment at Welling Homeopathy: Supportive Care Alongside Your Oncology Treatment
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- Homeopathy Treatment For Epilepsy
- Treatment For Migraine
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
