A meningioma is a type of brain tumor that develops in the meninges, the protective layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord. These tumors grow from the cells of the meninges themselves, which means they typically form on the surface rather than within the brain tissue.
Most meningiomas grow slowly—sometimes over many years—and many people live with small ones without ever knowing they are there. However, depending on their size and location, some meningiomas can cause significant complications. In some cases, a meningioma can be caused by a medication like Depo-Provera. Here is what you need to know about how a meningioma is diagnosed and treated.
Symptoms That May Indicate a Meningioma
Because meningiomas tend to grow gradually, symptoms often develop so slowly that you might not notice them right away. You might chalk them up to stress, aging, or other everyday explanations.
The symptoms you experience largely depend on where the tumor is located. If a meningioma grows large enough to put pressure on surrounding brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels, you may begin noticing changes.
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Vision changes
- Hearing loss or persistent ringing in the ears
- Memory difficulties or cognitive changes
- Loss of the sense of smell
- Seizures
- Weakness in your arms or legs
- Difficulty speaking
Many meningiomas never cause noticeable symptoms at all. In these cases, tumors are often discovered during imaging scans performed for unrelated reasons: a car accident, a persistent sinus issue, or another health concern that prompts a CT or MRI.
Certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. If you experience a sudden seizure, abrupt changes in your vision, or rapid memory loss, seek emergency care right away. For symptoms that develop more gradually but persist over time, like headaches that steadily worsen, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
What Tests Are Used to Diagnose Meningiomas?
Diagnosing a meningioma can be tricky because these tumors grow so slowly. If your healthcare provider suspects you might have a meningioma based on your symptoms, you will likely be referred to a neurologist.
The diagnostic process typically begins with a comprehensive neurological examination, during which your doctor will assess your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, reflexes, and cognitive function. From there, imaging tests will confirm whether a meningioma is present:
- A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of your brain. You may be injected with an iodine-based contrast dye to make any abnormalities easier to identify.
- An MRI scan provides even more detailed images using magnetic fields and radio waves. This test is particularly useful for pinpointing the exact size, location, and characteristics of a meningioma.
In some cases, your medical team may recommend a biopsy, which involves collecting a small tissue sample from the tumor for laboratory analysis. A biopsy helps confirm that the growth is indeed a meningioma rather than another type of tumor and can provide valuable information about whether it’s benign or cancerous.
Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Once you have received a meningioma diagnosis, the path forward depends on several factors: the tumor’s size and location, how quickly it appears to be growing, your overall health, your age, and your personal treatment goals:
- Continual Monitoring: For small, slow-growing meningiomas that aren’t causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend a watch-and-wait approach. You will undergo periodic brain scans to monitor the tumor and watch for any signs of growth. Many people live comfortably under this type of observation for years without ever needing more aggressive treatment.
- Surgical Intervention: When treatment does become necessary, surgery is often the first option. The goal of surgery is to remove as much of the meningioma as possible. In ideal circumstances, surgeons can remove the entire tumor. However, because meningiomas can develop near delicate structures like major blood vessels or nerves, complete removal isn’t always feasible. In those situations, surgeons will remove as much as they safely can.
What happens after surgery depends on the outcome. If the tumor was completely removed and found to be benign, you may need nothing more than regular follow-up scans. If a small portion remains, your doctor might recommend continued monitoring or a targeted radiation treatment called stereotactic radiosurgery. If the tumor is cancerous, radiation therapy will likely be part of your treatment plan.
Outlook and Recovery After Meningioma Treatment
Recovery from meningioma treatment can be lengthy and complicated. Following surgery, it’s common to experience headaches, fatigue, nausea, and pain around the incision site. These symptoms typically improve as your body heals. Some people bounce back relatively quickly, while others need more time to regain their strength and stamina.
More significant complications can also occur. These may include infection at the surgical site, vision changes if the tumor was near your optic nerve, neurological symptoms like weakness or coordination difficulties, cognitive changes affecting memory or concentration, and, in some cases, seizures. Blood clots, brain swelling, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks are also possible but relatively rare.
The Link Between Depo-Provera and Meningioma Risk
It is not clear what causes meningioma, but different factors may play a role in tumor development. Recent research has connected meningioma to the birth control medication Depo-Provera; one study found that women who used Depo-Provera faced a risk of developing meningiomas that was 5.6 times higher than those who didn’t use the medication.
As of early 2026, more than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed in federal court against Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera. Plaintiffs allege that Pfizer failed to adequately warn consumers about the potential tumor risk associated with its product. In late 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the drug’s warning label to include information about meningioma risk, instructing healthcare providers to monitor patients for signs of this condition.
Talk to a Depo-Provera Injury Attorney Now
If you’ve been diagnosed with a meningioma after long-term Depo-Provera use, you deserve answers, and you deserve to have someone in your corner who can fight for the compensation you may be entitled to. The attorneys at Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC are currently representing women harmed by Depo-Provera and are available to evaluate your potential claim at no cost. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 today to schedule a free consultation.