[The intracranial meningioma - therapeutic possibilities and limitations]

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumours that arise from arachnoidal cells. Clinically they often manifest by headache, focal or generalized seizures, or neurologic deficits as a result of brain compression. More than 90 percent of these mostly slow growing meningiomas are benign. In symptomatic patients a resection should be performed with the intention to cure or at least alleviate symptoms. In cases of subtotal resection an adjuvant radiotherapy should be deliberated. Stereotactic radiotherapy as initial treatment is an effective alternative for meningiomas, especially in patients not suitable for surgery due to various reasons. In patients that are refractory to treatment or with unresectable disease a hormonal- or chemotherapy can be considered.