Benign meningioma and para sinus nasal disease of ethmoid air cells

Good afternoon PurplePumpkin,

Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to our online community, I hope you find it supportive. My name is Helen and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to read about your symptoms and that parasinus nasal disease and a benign tumour have been found on your MRI scan. It’s completely understandable you have many questions about what all this means for you.

As we haven’t got access to your medical records through this platform, we are unable to confirm a definitive diagnosis. However, I can share information with you which may be helpful to prepare some clinical questions for your consultant.

Meningiomas are a type of brain tumour. It starts in the layers of tissue (membranes) that cover and protect the brain and the spinal cord. These layers are called the meninges.

Most meningiomas are non-cancerous (benign), slow growing tumours. But rarely some can be faster growing. These tumours can often be present in the brain without causing any symptoms for many years.

Meningioma symptoms usually begin gradually, as they gently push and compress brain tissue, rather than invading it. As with other brain tumours, the symptoms will depend on which part of the brain is affected.

Meningiomas can often be diagnosed using only scans. A biopsy is rarely needed.

Treatment options depend on the size, position and grade of the tumour. Your consultant is best placed to provide you with details about the grade. People who are diagnosed with a grade 1 meningioma are often put on active monitoring then surgery and radiotherapy offered at a later date, if needed.

Grade 2 and 3 types usually have surgery, then radiotherapy.

Your neurology consultant and clinical nurse specialist will be able to discuss your individual treatment plan as parasinus nasal disease, and a meningioma have been found on your scan. For information about starting treatment the guide on Cancer Research UK will help give you an estimated timescale of what should happen next.

The Brain Tumour Charity provide information and a helpline for people diagnosed with a brain tumour. You would also be very welcome to contact us to talk things through. Often a two-way conversation, helps us better understand your circumstances, gives you the opportunity to ask us questions and we can also offer practical, emotional and financial avenues of support.  

I hope this information is helpful but if you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

Best wishes,

Helen, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

Ref/HeP/JH

Thanks I will call