How are meningiomas treated?
Asymptomatic patients with incidentally discovered tumors may just be monitored with periodic MRI.
Patients typically undergo a surgical resection if either they are symptomatic or the tumor is growing. Radiation may be performed if residual tumor is left after resection.
Unlike benign (Grade I) meningioma, atypical and anaplastic meningioma (grades II and III) can be very aggressive and may require several surgeries and/or radiation.
Chemotherapy including hydroxyurea, interferon-alfa, imatinib, and somatostatin has been tried with little evidence of either efficacy or increase in survival.
