Brain Cancer Diagnosis & Detection
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Video: How Are Neurological Cancers Diagnosed?Learn how neurological cancers, such as brain or spinal cancer, are diagnosed. Dr. Baird talks about the advanced diagnostic imaging tools used and procedures performed to diagnose the disease.
Brain Cancer Diagnosis
CTCA neurosurgeon Dr. Clinton Baird explains how neurologic cancers are diagnosed, beginning with a review of health history and symptoms, followed by imaging tools and biopsy/surgical resection.
An effective brain cancer treatment plan begins with an accurate diagnosis. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our team of cancer experts uses advanced imaging technologies and tools to precisely evaluate malignant and benign brain tumors.
Once we make an accurate brain cancer diagnosis—and are able to determine the location, type and grade of the tumor—we’ll work with you to formulate a treatment plan that best suits your needs. Because of the complexities of brain tumors, treatment should be based on a tailored, individualized approach.
Benign vs. Malignant Primary Brain Tumors
Not all primary brain tumors are the same. Primary brain tumors can be divided into malignant or benign tumors.
- Benign primary brain tumors are not cancerous. They grow slowly, and tend to be more amendable to surgical or other treatments. However, benign brain tumors can still damage normal brain tissue and cause serious problems.
- Malignant brain tumors are more aggressive by definition. They grow more quickly and invade local structures more aggressively.
Brain Cancer Diagnostic Tools & Tests
We may use any of the following tests and tools to make an accurate brain cancer diagnosis. Once complete, we will use this information to develop your personalized treatment plan.
- Health History & Physical Examination: This includes a physical exam for general signs of health and a review of your medical history and symptoms.
- Neurological Examination: This includes a series of questions and tests for vision, hearing, motor skills, memory, cognition, and other neurologic functions.
- Imaging Tests: These tests use imaging technologies to produce pictures of the brain to determine the location and grade of brain tumors. A contrast agent may be used to distinguish normal and abnormal brain tissue.
- CT scan
- PET scan (primarily for spinal cancer)
- Nuclear Medicine Bone Scan - This scan can reveal if cancer has spread to the bone. In a bone scan, a small dose of radioactive material is injected into a blood vessel, where it travels through the bloodstream. The material then gathers in the bones and is detected by a scanner through nuclear imaging.
- Angiography – During this scan, X-rays obtain multiple, detailed 3D images of the blood vessels in the brain. This test may be used to plan the surgical resection of a tumor that is near an area of the brain with many blood vessels. Sometimes, this test is used to embolize (close off) blood vessels feeding a tumor prior to surgery.
- Biopsy/Surgical Resection: Whenever possible, a full surgical resection of the cancerous tissue is performed. If such a resection threatens neurological function, then a lesser resection, or simple biopsy, is performed. A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of the cancerous tissue from the brain. A pathologist will then examine the tissue under a microscope for a definitive diagnosis. This helps us evaluate the tumor to plan your treatment. A needle biopsy may be performed for tumors in difficult-to-reach or critical areas of the brain.
For individuals with metastatic brain cancer, your doctor may perform additional tests to determine where the cancer originated.
Throughout your brain cancer treatment, we’ll use advanced imaging tests to track the disease and monitor your response to treatment. Once your brain cancer treatment is complete, we’ll follow you closely with imaging tests to stay on top of any recurrence and determine if further treatment is needed.
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