Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with an intracranial meningioma is generally good.[62][114][115]​​​​ These are non-malignant tumours in the vast majority of cases, and, if removed adequately (including dural attachment), have a good prognosis. If treated with radiosurgery or fractionated radiotherapy, the control rate exceeds 90% at 10 years.[86][116]​​​ 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 characterise the long-term prognosis.[117]

Studies have investigated factors associated with quality of life and adjustment to brain tumour. Health-related quality of life typically improves after surgery, but declines in the long term.[53][118]​​ Review of these studies has identified consistent associations between depression, performance status, fatigue, and quality of life.[119]​ Other factors associated with lower quality of life include larger tumour size, higher WHO grade, recurrence, shorter time since diagnosis, age ≥50 years, post-traumatic stress, personality changes, tumours located in the left hemisphere, headache, and seizures.[53]

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