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Meningiomas are brain tumors that form in the meninges--the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. They tend to grow slowly, and most are benign (non-cancerous). The exact causes remain unknown, but several factors might play a role in their formation.
Abnormal Chromosomes
Meningiomas typically have chromosomal abnormalities, but researchers cannot pinpoint what triggers them, according to the Mayfield Clinic, a neurosurgery center located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2)
The inherited disease NF2 causes tumors to form on the brain and spinal cord. People afflicted with this condition have a higher chance of developing meningiomas.
Radiation
Radiation treatments for other types of brain tumors like medulloblastomas increase your chances for developing meningiomas later in life.
Hormones
Meningiomas strike women more than men. This suggests female hormones might play a role in formation, the Mayo Clinic says.
Injury
Head injuries might trigger the formation of this type of tumor as they have formed in spots of previous injury in some people, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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