Convexital meningioma occupies a special place among many different diseases, since it is diagnosed in 20-25% of all cases of detection of brain tumors. What should the patient know about this dangerous pathology? We will talk about this in the article.
general information
Meningioma is a tumor, most often benign. The neoplasm grows from the cells of the
dura mater and is localized in the human skull, namely on the surface of the brain or on the
base of the skull. Less commonly, the site of meningioma localization is the ventricles of the brain or bone tissue.
This neoplasm is characterized by slow growth. Pathology for a long time can be asymptomatic.
Classification of neoplasms
Three types of meningiomas are distinguished depending on the location of the neoplasm:
- convexital;
- parasagittal;
- basal.
Most often in medical practice there are convexital tumors. Each of the other two types of neoplasms is found in approximately 30% of cases.
There is another classification of tumor neoplasms (based on the histological component of the disease):
- fibroplastic meningioma, or benign;
- transient meningioma, or atypical;
- malignant tumor.
The first type of neoplasm is most often diagnosed: approximately 65% of patients. The tumor grows quite slowly, due to which the disease can be asymptomatic for a long time. Meningioma does not penetrate the surrounding tissue.
Atypical tumors are diagnosed less often, can grow not only in surrounding tissues, but also in bones. Most rarely, malignant meningiomas that grow in brain tissue are found. Malignant neoplasms tend to recur. In such cases, the prognosis for treatment is most often unfavorable.
Convexital meningiomas
This type of meningioma is the most common type of tumor. And it is diagnosed in about 50% of the total number of tumors.
The most common localization is one in which convexital brain meningioma is located under the top cover of the skull box (it is formed by the right and left frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital bones). This location of the neoplasm is noted in 20% of diagnosed cases.
Symptoms of the disease
Convexital meningioma can have a different localization. Symptoms and the intensity of their manifestations directly depend on what area of the brain the neoplasm affects.
Common symptoms of convexital meningioma are:
- frequent headaches;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- various impaired consciousness;
- Dizziness
- muscle weakness;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- problems with smell;
- visual and hearing impairment;
- the presence of epileptic seizures.
Experts say that many people may not suspect that they have convex meningioma. Symptoms of the disease with small sizes of benign neoplasms may not occur throughout life.
If a patient has a convexital meningioma of the right parietal region, problems with coordination in space are pronounced, associative thinking is impaired. The disease is most often accompanied by epileptic seizures and psychoemotional disorders.
Convexital meningioma of the right frontal region is also accompanied by psychoemotional disorders of varying severity. A person becomes apathetic, his desire for the manifestation of initiative disappears. It is difficult for the patient to concentrate, to focus on something specific. It’s hard for the patient to make decisions. As the convexital meningioma of the frontal region grows, the symptoms increase. The patient becomes extremely irritable, he has hallucinations, depression sets in. Suicidal tendencies may appear.
Convexital meningioma of the right frontal region has the same symptoms as the disease of the left side. The only difference may be the intensity of the symptoms.
Diagnostics
To diagnose the disease, you need to contact a neurologist. The specialist carefully collects an anamnesis, listens to all patient complaints, and then gives an objective assessment of the citizen's neurological status .
Then the doctor directs the patient to undergo such studies:
- CT scan;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) ;
- angiography;
- electroencephalography;
- cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
The latest study is recommended for passage in special cases. Massively it is not practiced.
More on diagnostic methods
Thanks to computed tomography, it is possible to clearly see whether there is a tumor in the brain or not. In the case of confirmation of the presence of a neoplasm, a specialist can, using this study, obtain information about the size of the tumor and examine it from different angles.
The information obtained as a result of MRI is identical to the data provided by computed tomography. The main difference between these two studies is that when conducting magnetic resonance imaging, a person does not receive radiation exposure.
Angiography is a more complex study, which consists of two stages:
- introducing a contrast medium into the bloodstream of the patient;
- radiography.
Convexital meningioma is usually fairly well circulated. That is why this type of research is considered informative.
Electroencephalography allows you to detect changes in the activity of individual lobes of the brain.
Causes of occurrence
The development of the neoplasm can be promoted by many different reasons related to the genetic characteristics of a person, traumatic factors and other conditions that have a negative effect on the body.
Specialists identified a defect in the 22nd chromosome, which is responsible for the development of the tumor. The connection of the hormonal background of the fair sex with the appearance and development of the tumor is noted. There is an obvious connection between the occurrence of breast cancer and meningiomas.
The catalysts for the appearance and further development of a benign tumor can be radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer and hormonal failure in the body. Most often, a woman is diagnosed with a tumor during the period of hormonal imbalance.
Treatment
Convexital meningioma is only treated surgically. Other types of meningiomas can be dealt with differently.
Currently, there are a huge variety of methods that allow you to act on the tumor without surgery. These methods include:
- stereotactic therapy;
- gamma therapy;
- radiosurgery.
The above methods of treatment are not only highly effective, but also accessible to the general population, since these methods are inexpensive.
Surgical treatments
If a patient has a convexital meningioma, the treatment is exclusively a surgical intervention. There are no other ways to remove a benign neoplasm.
First, the doctor does a craniotomy. After this, the tumor is removed, plastic membranes of the brain and bones are made.
Serious consequences are surgical intervention aimed at removing the meningioma located in the region of the base of the skull. With such a localization of the tumor, access to it is limited. To get to the neoplasm, the doctor needs to remove part of the bone tissue. Vital centers are located in this area, as well as large vessels and nerves. Their damage can lead to paresis and bleeding. During surgery, a fatal outcome is possible.
Rehabilitation after treatment
The duration of the rehabilitation period directly depends on the severity of the disease and the location of the tumor in the human brain. In addition, the complications caused by the neoplasm affect the patient's recovery rate.
In most cases, with visual and hearing impairment caused by atrophy of the corresponding nerves, it is impossible to restore the normal operation of the analyzers after surgery.
With atypical and malignant meningiomas, a relapse is possible after a course of treatment. However, most often with timely medical intervention, it is possible not only to get rid of the neoplasm that causes discomfort, but also to avoid negative consequences and subsequent complications.
Rehabilitation of a patient after a course of treatment aimed at combating meningioma includes several important points:
- the use of acupuncture, which helps to activate the nerve endings and restores the sensitivity of the limbs after paralysis caused by a tumor;
- conducting drug therapy, which supports the general tone of the body and prevents the occurrence of relapse;
- physiotherapy exercises, thanks to which a person can restore the motor and other body functions lost as a result of the disease.
For quick and effective recovery after a course of therapy, you must regularly visit your doctor and follow all recommendations.
Risk group
According to statistics, the risk group includes people from 35 to 70 years old, mainly women. Convexital meningioma is extremely rarely diagnosed in children and accounts for approximately 1.5% of all tumors of the central nervous system detected by specialists.
Effects
Forecasts during therapeutic measures are most often favorable. But it is worthwhile to understand that, like any disease, it can have a different outcome and convexital meningioma. The consequences of the disease most often depend on the neglect of the disease and the location of the tumor in the human brain. Relapses are possible. High risks of relapse of a tumor located in the parietal lobe of the brain.
It is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner for specialized care, since a tumor in the fossa of the skull can lead to a complete loss of smell, and a neoplasm in the Turkish saddle can contribute to complete loss of vision.
Despite the fact that in most cases, meningioma is a benign formation, this disease can lead to disruption of the auditory, visual and olfactory analyzers, to disability. In case of disruption of vital centers, a lethal outcome is possible.
Life after surgery
Patients who have been diagnosed with superficial forms of meningiomas may return to a normal lifestyle a few days after the surgery.
It is important to follow all the recommendations of your doctor and take medications. It is recommended to lead a lifestyle with moderate physical activity, physical therapy classes are welcome.
Some time after the surgery , it is strongly recommended to have a second computed tomography, according to the results of which the doctor will evaluate the condition of the operated area of the brain and determine the possibility of any postoperative complications. Electroencephalography should also be taken regularly so that the doctor can monitor the patient's brain activity.
Many are worried about ways that will prevent the appearance and development of such a benign neoplasm as convexital meningioma. Prevention involves the regular passage of electroencephalography. It is completely impossible to prevent the occurrence of a tumor, since most often the occurrence of meningioma is associated with the genetic characteristics of the human body. Women are advised to carefully monitor their hormonal background and the health of the reproductive system.