What Is Meningioma Surgery?
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A meningioma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that grows in the lining of the brain. It can be located anywhere within the skull, including the base of the brain.
Treatment options for meningiomas include observation, radiation, and surgery. Surgery is often the most effective way to cure the tumor. Typically, surgeons treat meningiomas with a craniotomy. A craniotomy is an opening in the skull just above the tumor’s location. Your provider will recommend the best treatment option for you.
How Big Does a Meningioma Have To Be for Surgery?
Your neurosurgeon considers tumor size and other factors before recommending surgery:
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Size–We treat meningiomas of all sizes with surgery. Some small tumors require surgery if they put pressure on important nerves or vessels. However, the larger the meningioma, the more likely it will need surgery.
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Location–If a tumor affects your vision or compresses nerve or blood vessels, it may require surgery.
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Symptoms–Some tumors cause symptoms because they compress areas of the brain. These symptoms include headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures or weakness.
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Growth–If a tumor grows quickly, it may need surgery.
What To Expect During Your First Visit
You will meet with a skull base tumor specialist before your surgery. Your surgeon reviews your case with you. They go over your complaints, symptoms, and any images or test results. They may schedule additional imaging or lab testing. Your surgeon also explains what to expect during your surgery. They answer any questions you have.
Preparing for Meningioma Surgery
You will take several steps before your meningioma surgery:
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Imaging–Your surgeon may need 3D images of your tumor using a CT or MRI machine. The images help your surgeon be very precise during the procedure.
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Labs–You will have standard blood tests before the day of surgery. These check for clotting disorders, infections, salt levels, and the function of your kidneys. Some tumors can affect hormone production if located close to the pituitary gland. In this case, labs may also check your hormone production.
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Eating and drinking–You need to stop eating and drinking the night before your surgery.
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Medications–Talk to your surgeon about all medications and supplements you take. In most cases, you can continue to take your usual medications with a small sip of water. Your surgeon may ask you to stop taking blood thinning medication a few days before surgery.
During Your Surgery for Meningioma
You will be under general anesthesia for meningioma surgery. General anesthesia puts you to sleep and provides medications so you don’t feel anything during the procedure.
Your surgeon customizes your procedure based on the location of your tumor. They often use your 3D images to help them determine the best options for your surgery. They may shave any hair near the surgery area. The surgery is done through a small hole in the bone, called a craniotomy.
After removing the tumor, your surgeon replaces the bone and secures it with titanium plates and screws.
How Long Is Meningioma Surgery?
The length of your procedure depends on your tumor. The tumor’s location and size affect how long surgery takes. A small tumor on top of the brain may take 2–3 hours to remove. Tumors on the skull base grow near sensitive nerves and blood vessels. They take longer to remove. If your surgery is near your skull base, surgery can take 8–12 hours.
Meningioma Surgery Recovery
You can expect to stay in the hospital 3–5 days after surgery. Your surgeon, together with physical and occupational therapists, decides when you’re ready to go home safely. You will need someone to drive you home. You should plan on having someone stay with you for a few days. They can help with things like shopping and food as you recover.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Meningioma Surgery?
Most patients return to everyday activities 3–4 weeks after surgery.
Meningioma Surgery Aftercare
Your care team gives you instructions on how to care for yourself at home:
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Keep the surgery wound clean and dry for the first week.
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Wait a week before showering. Wait until a month after surgery to submerge your head in water for longer periods.
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Take over-the-counter pain medications as needed.
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Don’t lift more than 10 pounds for the first month.
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Attend physical therapy appointments, if recommended.
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Inform your surgeon if you have any concerns about the wound healing.
Side Effects After Meningioma Surgery
If surgery goes well, you should expect a full recovery. However, there is a chance that you may have long-term symptoms due to the location of your tumor. Potential side effects can happen from any surgery:
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Seizures
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Memory loss
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Concentration problems
Meningioma Surgery Scar
Meningioma surgery will leave a small scar. Your surgeon will try to place the cut behind your hairline so it’s not visible. The scar may feel numb at first, but feeling in the area returns over time.
"I had a brain tumor and I wanted to get it out. I had enough trust and faith in Rennert, and in God; I knew I would be fine...[Rennert] treats you like he cares, like you are important."
Can Meningioma Come Back After Surgery?
Meningioma surgery can cure your tumor. However, due to the locations of some tumors, they can come back. You should plan on imaging tests every 1–3 years to check for regrowth.
Life After Meningioma Surgery
Your surgeon may recommend more therapies after your surgery:
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Physical therapy–Tumors or surgery may affect your brain and how your body moves. Physical therapy can improve your movement.
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Radiation–Surgeons grade tumors on a scale of 1–4, with four being the most severe. Your surgeon may recommend radiation for tumors that are grade two or three. Radiation can treat any piece of tumor left after surgery. It also helps prevent the tumor from growing back.
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Monitoring–Your surgeon checks your brain for tumor regrowth. You may get an MRI every 1-3 years.
Meet With a Skull Base Tumor Specialist
Meningioma surgery is part of University of Utah Health’s Skull Base Surgery Program. Our team of surgeons specializes in both lateral and anterior skull base tumors.
If you would like to meet with a skull base tumor specialist to talk about your meningioma, ask your provider for a referral. You can also contact us directly; we’ll help arrange a referral. Give us a call at 801-585-6065.
Meet Our Patients
U of U Heath Neurosurgeons Remove Montana Mother’s Complex Benign Brain Tumor
Stacey Hunter is grateful she chose U of U Health and had the skilled hands of her neurosurgeon to remove her meningioma brain tumor.
