Each kind of brain
tumor occurred from a particular cell type. Meningioma is caused from a cell
called arachnoid cap cell, which can be found on the surface layers of the brain
called meninges, in the paccionian granulations. These are provided as the one-way
valve system between the veins that drain from the brain to the heart and the
water system of the brain.
Meningiomas are
seldom malignant in their behaviors. Yet when they become malignant, they will
grow quickly and they will be harmful. Malignant meningiomas are kind of difficult
to treat and will often reappear within a year after they are removed by surgery.
Pathologists find it hard to identify meningiomas under the microscope. Only
numerous cells are best seen in division ("mitosis") under the microscope.
Pathologists may talk of the attack of the brain and skull, cells with an irregular
form or other peculiar findings, etc. Anyway, none of the above completely and
perfectly matches the analysis of meningioma. Eventually, the diagnosis of meningioma
is verified by the movement of the specific tumor overtime.
You will never
think of that meningiomas have an embryologic connection with the cells found
in the muscle layer of the uterus. Even under the microscope, it is still very
hard for the pathologists to identify the meningioma from the fibroid tumors
of the uterus. They also share the distinctive female hormonal receptors, the
progesterone and the estrogen, on their cell surfaces. This characteristic has
guided to the testing of anti-estrogen receptor agents, like tamoxifin, as a
growth-inhibiting agent in these tumors. In nowadays, medical studies are still
not succeeded to give a certain conclusion considerably.
