ABOUT MENINGIOMAS
What are they: Meningiomas are tumors on the outer membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. Meningiomas are found more frequently in older women, according to the Mayo Clinic. About 90 percent of meningiomas are benign.
Signs, symptoms: Changes in vision, headaches that worsen over time, hearing or memory loss, seizures and weakness in arms or legs. Some people may experience no symptoms at all.
When to see a doctor: Most signs and symptoms of a meningioma evolve slowly, but seek emergency care if you have: sudden onset of seizures, sudden changes in your vision or memory. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have persistent signs and symptoms that concern you, such as headaches that worsen over time.
Source: Mayo Clinic
What Sheryl Crow IS SAYING ...
Sheryl Crow told an audience about her condition at a recent concert, according to CBS News.
Crow, 50, wrote on her Facebook page last week: “Hey everyone — please don’t worry about my ‘brain tumor’, it’s a non-cancerous growth. I know some folks can have problems with this kind of thing, but I want to assure everyone I’m OK. ... ”
According to media reports, Crow was experiencing memory loss, including forgetting song lyrics, and had an MRI, which revealed the benign meningioma.
“I worried about my memory so much that I went and got an MRI. And I found out I have a brain tumor,” Crow recently told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “And I was, like, ‘See? I knew there was something wrong.’”
Singer Sheryl Crow announced recently she has been diagnosed with a meningioma, the most common type of benign brain tumor.
In May 2011, actress Mary Tyler Moore had a similar tumor removed from the lining of her brain and Elizabeth Taylor had one removed in 1997.
When a celebrity faces a health scare, it’s only natural for people to wonder if this can happen to them. We talked to a neurosurgeon to help educate the community about this disorder.
“It’s reported that two cases per 100,000 individuals have this sort of tumor,” said Dr. Cynthia Africk, a local neurosurgeon. “It is usually found between those who are 40 to 70 in age and it is more common in women. This type of tumor makes up approximately 12 percent to 15 percent of all brain primary tumors.”
Africk is a neurosurgeon on staff at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and has a private practice. She is chair of the Miami Valley Hospital section of neurosurgery.
Q: What is a meningioma?
A: “A tumor that comes from a covering of the brain called the meninges.”
Q: What are the causes of a meningioma?
A: “No one knows exactly why they grow. It is typically a benign tumor.”
Q: Is there anything people can do to prevent getting a meningioma?
A: “Unfortunately, no.”
Q: Crow said she had an MRI after she experienced memory problems, according to USA TODAY. What are the main symptoms that could be caused by this type of tumor?
A: “The symptoms are widely variable. No two people have the same symptoms. Symptoms can be, but are not limited to weakness, hearing loss, speech disturbances and vision changes. The symptoms are similar to that of a stroke.”
Q: Beyond this specific condition, what are the warning signs for brain issues?
A: “The warning signs are severe headaches, difficulty in speech, weakness to one side or another, nausea, vomiting, vision changes and seizures.”
Q: If people are experiencing these symptoms, what should they do?
A: “Call their doctor if they are having these symptoms, or they should go to the ER in case it is a stroke. There is no way to tell the difference between a stroke or meningioma until they are evaluated.”
Q: Crow said she won’t have surgery, according to USA TODAY. What are the treatment options for a tumor like this?
A: “Treatment varies on the individual. Most are operated on, but some can be followed with just serial imaging.”
Q: Are meningiomas more common in women than men? If so, why?
A: “Yes. It is unknown why.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2122 or Jacqueline.Boyle@coxinc.com.
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