Meningioma Symptoms and Treatments

I was left a comment on my video yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnmGc678828 and the commentor made reference to the fact that they had seen a good video by a neurosurgeon but unfortunately did not leave us a link. I however, have one up my sleeve and although it is a long one (the video - not my sleeve) it is straight forward and very informative. Because my tumour was a meningioma I was anxious to get to the bit about them and just incase you don't have time to listen to the whole lot I thought I would summerize the innformation for you as it is of great interest:

Presented by Dr Thomas Steineke, at the Diagnosis Brain Tumor - You Are NOT AloneIII conference, 2009

Benign Brain Tumors from Al Musella on Vimeo.

The brain tumors mentioned in this video are as follows:
Benign Brain Tumours
Pituitary
Vestibular Schwannoma
Meningioma
Keyhole & Minimally invasive techniques

In Summary re Meningioma Brain Tumors
90% are grade 1 or benign
With these tumours - if they are able to take them all out - IT IS A CURE!
5-7% are atypical - ie more aggressive and can turn into a malignant tumour
3-5% are malignant

Incidence: 2 in 100,000 - instance rises with age
This figure is probably higher as many are not found until autopsy
Meningiomas are more prevalent in women

Risk Factors:
Neurofibromatosis II
History of radiation treatment
Cell phones ?? Not conclusive - use ear pieces (sensible suggestion)

Presentation - Meningioma Symptoms
Certain symptoms are associated with tumours in certain places.
Headaches
Fitting
Meningiomas symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on the brain
Visual loss

Treatment:
If it is easily removed then you have A CURE
Unfortunately many benign tumours are in places that are not easy to get to i.e. behind the optic nerve
Observation and scans for - slow growing and small tumours
Surgery - larger tumours/symptomatic which have immediate and long term cure therefore less follow up needed
Gamma Knife - less than 3cm not near optic nerves with good long term control