Non-malignant meningioma survivorship

Meningiomas are tumours arising from the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges). They are the most common type of brain tumour among women and the second most common type of brain tumour among men in the UK. Non-malignant meningiomas are slow growing and are typically monitored or removed surgically. Malignant meningiomas are more aggressive and can spread to surrounding tissues. Around 90% of meningiomas are non-malignant and because they do not spread, are not called cancer. Depending on their location and size, they may still cause serious symptoms. Non-malignant meningiomas have become more common since the early 1990s.

Most research about non-malignant meningiomas is about what happens in the one or two years after diagnosis, like whether the tumour grows back and if the surgery resulted in any complications. Similar to cancer survivors, survivors of non-malignant meningioma may have different health care needs than people in the general population for decades after their diagnoses.  We propose a research project to explore what these health care needs might be. To do this, we will identify people who have been diagnosed with meningioma in the UK Biobank cohort.

The UK Biobank cohort is a large study of over half a million volunteers. Participants complete surveys and physical/biological assessments and consent to link their responses to health-related records. We will compare the risks of illness, hospital visits, and death in people who have had meningioma to the risks among all other participants in the UK Biobank. 

By identifying how health and health care differs between people who have and people who have not had a diagnosis of non-malignant meningioma, we hope to provide GPs and other health care providers with information about how to provide optimal patient care to survivors and to empower patients with useful information about their long-term health. 

Amount awarded: £28,402