Brain tumors are abnormal growths in the brain. These tumors may originate in the brain or spread to the brain as a result of cancer at a different site in the body. Generally, a brain tumor may present with symptoms that can be linked to the affected part of the brain, tumor growth rate, or tumor size. Common symptoms include speech difficulties, poor coordination, hearing problems, impaired vision, and frequent headaches that progressively worsen. Today, many tests are available for diagnosing brain tumors, which can also help doctors determine the tumor type, size, and whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
Often, diagnosing a brain tumor starts with an MRI of the patient's brain. Magnetic resonance imaging produces detailed images of the patient's brain, from which doctors can get important details such as the tumor's size or likeliness to spread. It can also help doctors determine how much blood is reaching the tumor, which is helpful for predicting how well certain treatments will work. An additional test is done to confirm the tumor type - this often requires tissue samples that may be collected during surgery or biopsy for further analysis to complete the diagnosis.
