What Is a Meningioma Brain Tumor?
A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the meninges — the protective layers of tissue surrounding your brain and spinal cord. While usually classified as non-cancerous, meningiomas can cause serious, life-altering symptoms and frequently require surgery.
Meningioma at a Glance
- Most common primary brain tumor — accounts for ~40% of all brain tumors
- ~36,000 new cases diagnosed in the US each year
- More common in women than men (2:1 ratio)
- Typically diagnosed between ages 40-70
- WHO grades: Grade I (benign, ~80%), Grade II (atypical, ~15-18%), Grade III (malignant, ~2-5%)
- 5.6x increased risk linked to injectable medroxyprogesterone use (BMJ 2024)
Symptoms of Meningioma
Meningioma symptoms depend on the tumor's size and location. Small, slow-growing meningiomas may cause no symptoms for years. As tumors grow, they press on brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels, causing symptoms that may include:
Common Symptoms
- Headaches — often the first symptom; may worsen over time and not respond to typical pain medication
- Vision changes — blurred vision, double vision, or partial vision loss
- Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Memory problems and difficulty concentrating
- Personality or behavioral changes
- Weakness or numbness in arms or legs, typically on one side
- Seizures
- Speech difficulties
- Loss of balance or coordination problems
- Loss of smell
How Is a Meningioma Diagnosed?
Meningiomas are typically diagnosed through:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) — the primary diagnostic tool; provides detailed images of the brain and can identify meningiomas as small as a few millimeters
- CT scan — may be used if MRI is unavailable; shows calcified tumors well
- Biopsy — a tissue sample may be taken during surgery to confirm the tumor type and grade
- Neurological exam — tests vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes
Many meningiomas are discovered incidentally — during brain imaging performed for an unrelated reason. This is increasingly common as MRI and CT scans become more routine.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the tumor's size, location, growth rate, and the patient's overall health:
Active Surveillance (Watchful Waiting)
Small, asymptomatic meningiomas may be monitored with regular MRI scans rather than immediately treated. This approach is common for incidental findings, particularly in older patients. The tumor is tracked for growth at intervals of 3-12 months.
Surgery (Craniotomy)
The most common treatment for symptomatic meningiomas. A neurosurgeon removes as much of the tumor as possible through an opening in the skull. Surgery carries risks including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Neurological damage (depending on tumor location)
- Stroke
- Swelling
- Seizures post-surgery
Recovery from meningioma surgery typically takes 4-8 weeks, though full recovery from neurological effects may take months or longer. Some patients experience permanent deficits depending on the tumor's location and the extent of surgery required.
Radiation Therapy
Used for tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically, or for patients who are not surgical candidates. Stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) delivers focused radiation to the tumor site. Conventional radiation therapy may be used for larger or more complex tumors.
Recurrence
Meningiomas can recur even after surgical removal. Recurrence rates depend on the WHO grade:
- Grade I: ~10-20% recurrence within 10 years
- Grade II: ~40-50% recurrence within 10 years
- Grade III: ~50-80% recurrence within 10 years
Patients require ongoing MRI monitoring for years after treatment to detect recurrence early.
The Depo-Provera Connection
The link between Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and meningioma is based on the biological fact that meningiomas express progesterone receptors. The synthetic progestin in Depo-Provera binds to these receptors, potentially stimulating tumor growth.
Key scientific findings:
- BMJ 2024 study: 5.6x increased risk of intracranial meningioma after 1+ year of injectable medroxyprogesterone use
- Risk was dose-dependent — longer use = higher risk
- Risk was specific to medroxyprogesterone, not all hormonal contraceptives
- Meningiomas are more common in women than men (2:1 ratio), consistent with hormonal influence
- Prior studies in France led to regulatory action: French agency ANSM restricted medroxyprogesterone use before the US FDA acted
The FDA added a meningioma warning to the Depo-Provera label in December 2025 — more than 30 years after the drug's initial approval. This delay is central to the claims in MDL 3140.
Were You Diagnosed With a Meningioma After Using Depo-Provera?
You may be eligible to file a claim. Check your eligibility with a free, confidential assessment.
Check My Eligibility →Living With a Meningioma
A meningioma diagnosis can be overwhelming. Whether you are undergoing active treatment or monitoring, understanding your condition and maintaining regular follow-up care is important:
- Keep all follow-up MRI appointments — early detection of growth or recurrence improves outcomes
- Document your symptoms — keep a log of headaches, vision changes, and other symptoms to share with your medical team
- Preserve your medical records — if you are considering legal action, your imaging reports, pathology reports, and treatment records are essential documentation
- Seek support — organizations like the American Brain Tumor Association and the National Brain Tumor Society offer resources for patients and families