Cognition in Meningioma: Effects of Tumor Location and Tumor Removal.

BACKGROUND

Meningiomas are the most common type of primary intracranial tumor, yet very few studies have assessed the effects of tumor removal.

METHODS

Here we report analysis of patients with meningiomas who underwent routine neuropsychological assessment and surgery at a National Health Service (NHS) hospital in the North East of England over a 6-year period.

RESULTS

Surgical removal of tumors significantly improved both phonemic and semantic verbal fluency and some measures of working memory and declarative memory. There were no signs of deleterious effects of surgery. Postoperative improvements in cognition did not appear to rely upon changes in anxiety and mood.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, we conclude that tumor removal in meningioma can be associated with some benefits in cognition.