Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
meningioma
Pronunciation: men-in-jee-OH-ma
A typically benign tumor arising from the meninges (protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord).
Full Definition
A tumor that develops from the arachnoid cells of the meninges, accounting for approximately 30% of all primary brain tumors. Most meningiomas are WHO Grade I (benign), though atypical (Grade II) and anaplastic (Grade III) variants exist. These tumors are more common in women and often grow slowly, sometimes remaining asymptomatic for years. Histologically, they show characteristic features like psammoma bodies and whorled growth patterns. Complete surgical resection is often curative for benign forms.
Usage
Usage note: Specify WHO grade when mentioned; note the gender predilection in epidemiological contexts.
In Context
- "The parasagittal meningioma showed typical whorl formation and psammoma bodies." — surgical pathology report
- "Atypical meningioma requires closer follow-up than benign variants." — clinical guideline
Don't confuse with
schwannoma
hemangiopericytoma