Radiation therapy
for meningioma
in pets — Florida.

A treatable brain tumor —
with surgery, radiation, or both.

Meningioma arises from the meninges — the membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord. It grows slowly and remains well-defined. In cats, it is the most common intracranial tumor. In dogs, it typically occurs in older, large-breed animals and grows along the brain's surface.

Common presenting signs include seizures, behavioral changes, circling, head pressing, loss of coordination, and vision changes. Because the skull limits expansion, even a slowly growing tumor eventually compresses surrounding brain tissue — producing symptoms that escalate quickly once they begin.

The roles of surgery and radiation

In cats, meningiomas are frequently well-encapsulated and surgically accessible — surgery can achieve excellent long-term outcomes and is often the best option. In dogs, meningiomas tend to be more infiltrative and complete resection is often not feasible, so radiation frequently plays the primary role. Radiation therapy targets the tumor volume precisely and is also valuable after incomplete resection or when surgery is not an option. Dr. DiBernardi reviews each case to recommend the most appropriate approach.

What imaging is required before treatment

MRI is the gold standard for meningioma diagnosis and treatment planning — it defines tumor boundaries, location relative to critical structures, and degree of brain compression. CT may also be used for radiation planning. Dr. DiBernardi reviews all imaging personally before designing each treatment plan, selecting the appropriate protocol based on tumor size, location, and clinical picture.