How is an ependymoma diagnosed?

How is an ependymoma diagnosed?

Diagnosing an ependymoma may require multiple specialists, such as a:

• Neurologist, a doctor specializing in the central nervous system.
• Neuro-oncologist, a doctor specializing in central nervous system tumors.
• Neurosurgeon, a doctor specializing in brain and spinal cord surgery.

You may have tests to learn more about the tumor’s size, location and grade, such as:

• MRIs: Specialists use large magnets and computers to view your brain or spinal cord comprehensively.
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture): Your healthcare provider removes a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid to test it for tumor cells.
• Surgery: A neurosurgeon may remove the tumor and test it to determine its type and grade.