Meningioma

What is a meningioma?

A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common kind of tumor that starts in the brain. Most grow slowly and are not cancer.

Even a tumor that is not cancer can cause serious problems because of its size or where it is. Doctors grade meningiomas. Grade 1 is the most common and grows slowly.

The National Cancer Institute says the cause of meningiomas is not known. Radiation, especially in childhood, can raise a person’s risk.

What are the signs of a meningioma, and when should I see a doctor?

Signs depend on where the tumor grows. They can include headaches that are worse in the morning, vision changes, or loss of hearing or smell. Some meningiomas cause no signs at all.

A brain tumor can also change mood, behavior or the ability to focus. MedlinePlus says to contact your provider about new headaches that do not go away. Go to the emergency room for a seizure or a sudden change in alertness, vision or speech.

FDA’s label tells doctors to watch for signs of meningioma in people who get the shot.

If you get Depo-Provera shots, talk to your doctor before you stop or change any birth control.

How do doctors diagnose a meningioma?

Doctors check the brain and nerves with an exam. They look for a tumor with a brain scan, such as an MRI or CT scan. If a tumor is found, a surgeon may remove tissue so a pathologist can find its type and grade.

Sometimes the scan shows the tumor is very likely not cancer, and no tissue is taken. Slow-growing tumors that cause no signs may be watched with regular exams and tests instead of treated right away.

Which records show a meningioma diagnosis?

Ask for the written report from your brain scan, such as an MRI or CT scan. If tissue was removed, the pathology report gives the type and grade. Also ask for the notes that record the diagnosis and its date.

The court handling the federal Depo-Provera cases asks for a medical or insurance record, made at or near the time, that shows the diagnosis and its date. It says a diagnosis mentioned only in a patient history is not enough. The same order asks for proof of Depo-Provera use, such as prescription, pharmacy or insurance records.

You have a right to copies of your records, including scan images. A doctor normally has up to 30 days to send them, but can often send them much sooner.

What does research say about Depo-Provera and meningioma?

In December 2025, FDA added a warning about meningioma to the label for the shot. It says cases have been reported after repeated shots, mostly with long-term use. A warning like this does not prove the shot caused any one tumor.

The lawsuits claim that long-term use of Depo-Provera can lead to meningioma. The companies say the shot is safe and effective. Whether the shot causes meningioma is one of the main questions in the federal cases.

The court held a hearing on that question on September 18, 2026. As of October 6, 2026, we found no ruling on it in the federal court records we read, and no ruling that Depo-Provera causes meningioma.

Who brings meningioma claims in the Depo-Provera cases?

The federal cases are for people who say the shot, or a generic version, caused a meningioma inside the skull. This page cannot tell you if you could bring a claim. That depends on your own records and facts.

The Depo-Provera case page explains what is happening in those cases now.

Can a family member get records for someone with a meningioma?

Yes, if the family member has the legal power to make health care choices for that person. A brain tumor can change mood or the ability to focus, so a relative may need to help. A health care power of attorney is one way to give that power.

For a child, a parent is usually the one who can get the records. If the person died, the executor or administrator of the estate can get the records needed for that job. State law decides who has this power.

If someone died, the wrongful death case page explains in general how those claims work.