Meningioma
 

Hi

I was wondering if anyone has had a Meningioma (tumour) from their skull, and if so I am interested in hearing what the process was. I have been told I have a large meningioma in my temporal area that is benign, but still needs to be removed. Just wondering if anyone else has had this.

Me and my meningioma
 

I'm sorry no one has answered your post before now, perhaps that means there aren't many people with meningiomas on this forum.

I was first diagnosed in January this year when I was referred for an MRI because of headaches and vertigo issues. A followup MRI in late May shows there is no apparent growth but because of my symptoms (headache, nausea, vertigo, muscle weakness) and the fact its compressing my brain so much I was told surgery was my only option. I haven't scheduled it yet, I wanted to hold out for as long as possible since the idea of having my head cracked open scares the begeezus out of me.

I'm told by the neurosurgeon I plan to use that he's 90% sure its a benign growth and the surgery should not be complicated. I've been reading lots of Journal articles about meningiomas, surgery, and post-surgery complications and feel I'm healthy enough to be a low risk for problems.

I hope you don't have any problems from your meningioma. Did you have surgery yet?

Meningioma Tumor Surgery Options
 

If you have not yet had your surgery to remove your meningioma tumor, you may want to look into the 3-D endoscopic surgical options, especially those being done by Dr. John Y.K. Lee at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (in Philadelphia, PA). Dr. Lee is also working closely with Meningioma Mommas, an online support group for people with meningioma brain tumors (you don't have to be female to join!). I would suggest you check out their online forum discussions for much more info and support.

I was diagnosed with a small benign meningioma near my optic nerve in March of 2011 but I have no symptoms, so I am in the "wait and watch" category. I have consulted with some of the best neurosurgeons in the Northeast US who all told me to wait and see. I did not know about Dr. Lee until recently, but I would consider going to him if I needed a surgical consultation. Best of luck to you!