Tests for Diagnosing Brain Tumors

For people suspected of having a brain tumor, there will be some tests that are ordered by their doctors. These tests are geared towards finding out if there is, indeed, a tumor present. Once that is established, there will be other tests to determine where the tumor is and the size of it.

A neurological exam will include checking vision, balance, hearing, reflexes and coordination. If there appears to be a problem in one or more of these areas, that will point to the portion of the brain that is most affected by the tumor. All tests for brain tumors begin with this type of examination.

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, will be used in helping with the diagnosis. Sometimes a dye is injected into a vein in your arm prior to the MRI. Other specialized MRI scans may also be performed to help get more details regarding the brain tumor. The results of these scans will help the doctor form a treatment plan.

If a brain tumor is found, there will be other tests performed to find out if it is the result of cancer spreading from other parts of the body. It is important to locate the source of the cancer so there will be tests done to find it. Sometimes, a secondary brain tumor is when other forms of cancer are found.

A biopsy may be performed as part of the surgery that removes the brain tumor. It can also be done through the use of a needle. A biopsy means that a sample of the affected tissue is collected and tested for cancer. This is another test that can be used in determining what the course of treatment should be to control, and ultimately, cure the tumor.

If, after all the tests are completed, you still have doubts, you’re perfectly within your rights to seek a second opinion.

Causes of Brain Tumors

Primary brain tumors, or tumors that begin in the brain, form when normal cells acquire mutations in their makeup. These mutated cells grow and divide at rapid rates while also continuing to live rather than die, like healthy cells would. The result of these overrun mutating cells is a cluster of abnormal cells. This, in turn, creates a tumor.

The good news is that primary brain tumors happen less often than secondary brain tumors. The secondary brain tumors are a result of cancer spreading from elsewhere in the body. There are various types of primary brain tumors. Each type is named from the type of cells that cause it.
As previously stated, secondary brain tumors happen because there is cancer in another part of the body and it has traveled to the brain. This is called metastasizing. Secondary brain tumors typically strike people that already have a history of cancer. There are rare cases, however, where a metastatic brain tumor turns out to be the first sign of cancer that actually started somewhere else in the body.

Secondary brain tumors occur a lot more often than primary brain tumors. That’s because any type of cancer that starts anywhere in the body can travel to the brain. The most common cancers that metastasize to the brain include colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma. These are also some of the most common cancers that people tend to get, which is why they’re most known for bringing about brain cancer.

Rarely do genetics, or family history, play a part in why one person develops a brain tumor and another one doesn’t. However, researchers are looking into whether head injuries, using cell phones, or being exposed to certain chemicals increase the chances of developing a brain tumor. Thus far, no links have been established between any of these and brain tumors.

Overview of Brain Tumors

The formation of brain tumors is something that generally comes about when the replacement of cells process goes wrong in some sort of manner. Most normal cells age or get damaged and die. When this happens, new cells replace them. Sometimes new cells grow even though they aren’t needed by the body, and old or bad cells don’t die as they’re meant to.  This buildup of too many cells can result in a mass or tissue called a growth.

Brain tumors are either benign or malignant. Benign tumors mean that the growth doesn’t have any cancer cells in it. These can usually be removed and rarely do they return. They also typically have an edge or border to them that’s easy to see. That’s because the cells from benign tumors usually don’t involve any of the other tissues surrounding them. This means that they won’t spread throughout the body. Benign tumors cause problems if they start pushing on certain portions of the brain. This is where they differ from benign tumors that form in other parts of the body. Benign brain tumors can turn into malignant ones.

Malignant brain tumors do contain cancer cells, which is why it is also known as brain cancer. These types of tumors usually become serious, and are often life-threatening. They grow quickly, invading any healthy brain tissue close by. The cancer cells can escape from malignant brain tumors and travel to other portions of the brain or spinal cord, although they don’t usually spread to other body parts. Primary brain tumors can start in the brain, or the cancer can start elsewhere in the body and travel to the brain to create secondary tumors.

Treatment options for brain tumors are really going to depend on the type of tumor, how large the tumor actually is and where in the brain the tumor is actually located. Tests will be conducted in order to gather this pertinent information before choosing a treatment strategy.