The topic Meningioma of the Spinal Cord you are seeking is a synonym, or alternative name, or is closely related to the medical condition Spinal Meningioma.

Quick Summary:

• Meningioma is a mostly benign and slow-growing tumor that arises from the meninges which is the membranous tissue encasing the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS). The meninges consist of three layers, namely the outer layer (dura mater), the middle layer (arachnoid mater), and the inner layer (pia mater); together, they form the protective lining around the CNS
• The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies meningiomas based on their behavior as benign (grade I), atypical (grade II), and malignant (grade III) tumors. The grade and histologic subtype of the tumor is determined by a pathologist after examining a tissue biopsy of the tumor, under a microscope. Meningiomas are also classified based on their sites of origin within the CNS
• While there may be a set of non-specific symptoms observed, certain symptoms are specific to the tumor location. The exact location of a meningioma is generally identified on the basis of radiological imaging studies. These factors, along-with the histopathological subtyping, help the healthcare provider in better understanding the tumor and planning treatment (surgical) approaches accordingly
• Meningiomas that develop in the spinal cord or within the bones of the spine are called Spinal Meningiomas. Many of these tumors are intradural (located within the dural sac), while few are extradural (outside the dura mater, but within the spine). Spinal Meningiomas are relatively uncommon and can develop anywhere along the length of the spinal cord; however, a majority of them involve the thorax (region between the neck and abdomen)
• The spinal region extends from the base of the skull (in the neck) to the tail bone. Along this length, a variety of spinal nerves with different functions originate from the spinal cord. Hence, depending on the level of spinal column involvement and associated nerves in the region by the tumor, the signs and symptoms may vary greatly from one individual to another
• Meningiomas of any histologic subtype i.e., belonging to WHO grade I (benign), WHO grade II (atypical), or WHO grade III (malignant) tumors may affect the spinal region. However, nearly 99% of the Spinal Meningiomas are grade I tumors. Based on several study reports, the following are the common subtypes of meningiomas noted in the spinal region:
  • Psammomatous meningioma: These are grade I and constitute nearly 70% of all Spinal Meningiomas
  • Meningothelial meningioma: These are grade I and constitute 15% of the cases
  • Angiomatous meningioma: These are grade I and constitute 7% of the cases
  • Transitional meningioma: These are grade I and constitute 7% of the cases
  • Grades II and III, atypical (such as clear cell meningioma) and malignant tumors respectively, constitute the remaining 1%
• WHO grade I tumors are low-grade slow-growing tumors that are not known to infiltrate into the surrounding tissues; they also offer a very high chance for surgery to be curative. WHO grade II tumors grow faster than grade I tumors but are not usually infiltrative. However, there is a possibility of tumor recurrence as a higher grade tumor after treatment. WHO grade III tumors are malignant and infiltrative; they also have a tendency to recur as a higher grade tumor (grade IV) following treatment
• Thus, the lower the tumor grades, the better are the outcomes. However, large-sized meningiomas, even if they are low-grade, can compress the surrounding structures causing significant signs and symptoms. Therefore, the size of the tumor is also an important determinant for treatment purposes and measuring overall outcomes
• The exact cause of Spinal Meningioma development is not well understood. The cause is associated with several factors including certain genetic abnormalities, past exposure to ionized radiation, hormonal factors in women, and a family history of meningiomas. A majority of the cases are reported in middle-aged and older women
• The signs and symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. Spinal Meningiomas may cause pain at the site of the tumor, weakness in upper and lower limbs, one-sided paralysis, and loss of bowel or bladder control. Complications associated with malignant tumors include metastasis to other organs of the body
• Once diagnosed, the treatments for Spinal Meningioma may include a combination of minimally-invasive surgery (to reduce scarring and damage to the surrounding area), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, based on the healthcare provider’s assessment. In a majority, the prognosis is usually good since most of the Spinal Meningiomas are benign (WHO grade I tumor). Adults with higher grade tumors and aged over 75 years, may have worse prognosis

Please find comprehensive information on Spinal Meningioma regarding definition, distribution, risk factors, causes, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, prevention, prognosis, and additional useful information HERE.