Meningioma is most often a benign (only in 10% of cases malignant) tumor, which usually forms in the cells of the meninges. As a rule, the localization of neoplasms is observed in the connective tissues (arachnoid membrane). Meningioma itself is a tumor that has been growing for quite some time. For example, in the United States, a case was registered when a tumor was found in a patient only after 45 years, when the woman herself was 80.
However, this does not mean that this pathology is not dangerous. Even with a long course, meningioma spreads towards the spinal cord. This provokes its squeezing and disruption of normal functioning. If we talk about the consequences, then meningioma is a pathology that is very dangerous. According to statistics, such a pathology is very rare. The defeat occurs in people over the age of 35 years.
Classification
A tumor in the brain or spinal cord can appear in different areas. Most often, meningioma occurs:
- Convexital. In this case, the tumor is located in the parietal, occipital or frontal area of the brain. A similar variety is diagnosed in 40-50% of cases.
- Parasagittal. Also called falx meningioma. Typically, the tumor is located in the area where the olfactory fossa is located. This form of pathology belongs to one of the varieties of meningitis and is extremely rare.
- Basal A similar neoplasm is observed at the base of the skull.
In addition, a spinal cord tumor can be classified depending on the severity of the disease. Based on this, several forms of meningioma are distinguished:
- Atypical.
- Benign.
- Malignant.
The best outcome is possible if the patient develops benign type spinal meningioma. Since the formation grows rather slowly (and sometimes the process of tumor growth stops at all), in some situations patients do not need treatment. As a rule, in such situations observation is enough.
However, as a rule, doctors recommend removal of the tumor. This is because the probability of relapse is minimal, and the prognosis is almost always favorable.
Groups and risk factors
According to studies, meningioma of the spine is more common in the fair sex. As a rule, this is due to the fact that in women hormonal malfunctions are quite common, which are characteristic during pregnancy or during menopause. In addition, at risk are people who have long been exposed to potent poisons or suffered from x-ray or radiation exposure. In addition, this pathology can be a consequence of a spinal injury.
The gene factor should not be ruled out. If relatives suffered from cancer, then there is a high probability that the patient has developed a neoplasm for this reason.
A spinal tumor may develop due to neurofibromatosis. This disease also belongs to hereditary. With autosomal dominant pathology, a large number of neoplasms appear in the human body. As a rule, they are benign.
Clinical manifestations
Speaking about the development of spinal meningioma, it is worth highlighting three stages of the development of pathology. At first, the so-called radicular pain syndrome of the girdle or oppressive type develops. Additionally, a person may develop chronic paresthesia. A person loses sensitivity and constantly complains of the feeling of "running goose bumps." However, radicular pain is also often a symptom of neuralgia of the cervical, intercostal or lumbosacral spine. As a rule, pain is worse when the patient is in a horizontal position or sitting.
Further, the patient develops Brown-Secar syndrome. He may have unilateral paralysis. If treatment has not been prescribed, then there is a transverse lesion of the spinal cord. However, most systems of the human body cease to function normally. Patients noted a sharp deterioration.
However, it is worth noting that very often (in 35% of cases) spinal meningioma does not appear at all in the first stages of the development of the disease. Therefore, it is worthwhile to visit a specialist and undergo examinations if possible.
Symptoms of different stages of the disease
When radicular pain occurs, patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed with neuralgia. This is due to the localization of pain. If there is a subsequent development of pathology without the necessary treatment, then there is an overgrowth of the neoplasm. This leads to a fairly strong compression of the spinal cord. At this stage, a person usually experiences pain. However, do not rejoice ahead of time. As a rule, a decrease in unpleasant symptoms is explained by a partial loss of sensitivity (tactile and vibrational type). But there are also situations when, on the contrary, hypertension appears in patients. In this condition, an increase in sensitivity is observed.
With the subsequent development of a spinal cord tumor, all layers of the spinal cord are affected. If meningioma is located in the cervical region, this can lead to a decrease in the mobility of the upper and lower extremities. With neoplasms in the sternum, patients have paraparesis (severe weakness) of the legs. Additionally, in patients there is a violation of the urogenital system.
With the development of pathology in the lumbar region, a person develops quite strong pain. As a rule, they are localized in the perineum, pelvis and legs. As a rule, pain becomes noticeably stronger when sneezing or coughing, in a horizontal position or when the patient is sitting.
Since the symptoms of a spinal tumor are rarely manifested at the initial stage of development, those who are at risk should be extremely careful with their health. Experts recommend having an examination at least 2 times a year.
Diagnostics
First of all, it is necessary to clearly describe to the doctor the symptoms from which the patient suffers. However, the lack of a clinical picture does not mean that a person is completely healthy.
As a rule, first of all, a specialist examines cerebrospinal fluid. If a person suffers from meningioma, then in this case, the amount of protein will be significantly increased. Thanks to effective modern diagnostic methods, it is not difficult today to identify the presence of this pathology. Additionally, a biochemical blood test is performed.
Also very effective methods for determining pathologies of this type are MRI and CT. But some do not know the difference between these studies. Therefore, it is worth considering this issue in more detail.
MRI or CT scan of the spine: which is better
First of all, it is worth saying that both of these research methods are completely painless for humans. However, MRI and CT are different from each other. First of all, computed tomography is considered a more effective method, since the accuracy of the result in this study is 90%. If we are talking about MRI, then in this case, the indicators will be accurate by 85%.
On the other hand, it all depends on the purpose of the examination and the intended diagnosis.
If the patient complains of pain in the back and cervical spine, then soft tissues should be examined. In this case, MRI is considered the most accurate study. If a person suffers from probable damage to bone tissue or intervertebral discs, then CT is usually performed.
If a contrast agent is used for the study, then in this case it is much better to perform computed tomography. Therefore, in the question of which is better - MRI or CT of the spine, it all depends on the alleged diagnosis. The final decision is made by the doctor.
Treatment
As a rule, surgical intervention is performed to get rid of unpleasant pathology. However, if the tumor has reached dangerous sizes, removal of the spinal meningioma can be difficult. In this case, serious consequences can occur. Also, before performing the procedure, the doctor specifies how close the formation is to the spinal cord.
As a rule, radical removal of the tumor node is performed. It may also be necessary to extract some of the bone. At the same time, transplant placement can be performed. In rare situations, after surgery, patients develop paralysis of the arms or legs.
Other removal methods
Thanks to modern methods of treatment, it becomes possible to remove the tumor without major interventions. In this case, stereotactic methods are used. In this case, the patient undergoes an irradiation procedure.
Typically, a procedure called a cyber knife or gamma knife is performed. In the first case, the patient is exposed to x-rays. When using a gamma knife, radiation of the ionizing type is used.
Cyber knife
This method is non-invasive, therefore, serious complications can be avoided. If the meningioma is removed with a cyber knife, then a person needs no more than 5 procedures. All manipulations are performed on an outpatient basis. This means that after each session, the patient can go home. In the process of treatment, people do not experience pain, there is no risk that they may need hospitalization.
When performing this procedure, there is more chance of a favorable prognosis. Such events are the least traumatic and dangerous when compared with standard surgery or chemotherapy. The latter method is worth considering in more detail.
Chemotherapy
As a rule, this method of treatment is used only if the patient is diagnosed with a malignant tumor. Chemotherapy is used if other methods have been found to be inactive. This is due to the fact that potent medicines destroy not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells of the body.
Events of this type are carried out in stages, so as not to disrupt the performance of all systems. As a rule, a break between procedures is from 2 weeks to several months. This is necessary for partial recovery of the body. The duration of treatment depends on how well the body responds to therapeutic measures.
Forecast
If we are talking about a benign tumor, then it can be completely removed. In this case, the risk of relapse is minimized. Only 2–3% of patients who underwent a surgical procedure face repeated problems.
However, it is likely that the patient has developed a malignant tumor. In this case, the forecasts are not so comforting. Relapses usually occur in 80% of situations. As a rule, the operation gives only a temporary result. After a few years, the disease can return again. If a person does not receive treatment, then there is a risk of death.