Benign brain tumors. Meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and acoustic neuromas.

Meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and vestibular schwannomas are the most common benign brain tumors in adults. Together they account for 30% to 40% of primary brain tumors. Surgery remains the treatment of choice for most of these tumors. Recent advances in surgical techniques and intraoperative monitoring have decreased significantly the morbidity associated with surgery. For patients with inoperable or recurrent tumors, there is increasing evidence that standard external beam radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotactic radiotherapy all have a therapeutic role. These advances have been complemented by progress in medical therapies for pituitary adenomas and meningiomas.