How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

Doctors use several tests to confirm the presence of a brain tumor. These tests include:

• Physical exam and medical history: Your doctor will perform a general health exam, looking for signs of diseases or illnesses. Your doctor will also ask questions about past and current health conditions, surgeries and medical treatments and family history of disease.
• Biopsy: Through a small hole in the skull, a doctor uses a needle to take a sample of tissue from the tumor. A laboratory studies the sample to identify details from the tumor, including how fast it is growing and whether it is spreading.
• Imaging tests: CTs, MRIs, SPECTs and PET scans help doctors locate the tumor and determine if it is cancerous or benign. Your doctor may also look at other parts of the body, such as the lungs, colon or breasts, to identify where the tumor started.
• Neurological exam: During a neurological exam, your doctor will look for changes in your balance, coordination, mental status, hearing, vision and reflexes. These changes can point to the part of your brain that may be affected by a tumor.
• Spinal tap: A doctor uses a small needle to remove fluid from around the spine. A laboratory examines this fluid to look for cancer cells, which can indicate a malignant tumor somewhere in the central nervous system.

When brain tumors are cancerous, doctors classify the tumors into four grades (1 [least malignant/slow growing] through 4 [most malignant/fast growing]) as part of the diagnosis. The grade assigned to a tumor indicates how fast it's growing and its likelihood of spreading. By grading the tumor, your doctor can determine the most effective treatment options.