Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with an intracranial meningioma is generally good.[59][111][112]​​​​ These are nonmalignant tumors in the vast majority of cases, and, if removed adequately (including dural attachment), have a good prognosis. If treated with radiosurgery or fractionated radiation therapy, the control rate exceeds 90% at 10 years.[83][113]​​​ Interestingly, there are few studies with long-term follow-up of meningioma patients, which is relevant to younger patients diagnosed with meningioma. One study of parasagittal meningiomas with a 25-year follow-up period found that, even for World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 meningiomas that were completely resected, recurrence rates were as high as 38%. This suggests the need for ongoing follow-up and longitudinal studies to better characterize the long-term prognosis.[114]

Studies have investigated factors associated with quality of life and adjustment to brain tumor. Health-related quality of life typically improves after surgery, but declines in the long term.[50][115]​​ Review of these studies has identified consistent associations between depression, performance status, fatigue, and quality of life.[116]​ Other factors associated with lower quality of life include larger tumor size, higher WHO grade, recurrence, shorter time since diagnosis, age ≥50 years, post-traumatic stress, personality changes, tumors located in the left hemisphere, headache, and seizures.[50]

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