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Home » Exams and Tests

Exams and Tests
A person suffering from some symptoms of brain cancer needs to go for physician consultation and medication. The health care provider, to diagnose and identify the type of cancer, will perform certain physical exams and tests of brain cancer. These physical brain cancer exams and tests often identify signs and symptoms specific to the tumor’s location. However, some types of brain tumors do not produce any symptoms until they become very large and then causes rapid declination in the individual’s mental functions. The different brain cancer exams and tests include: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the head, Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the head, Electroencephalogram or EEG, Computed Tomography guided biopsy, and examination of the cerebral spinal fluid.
These tests and exams are dealt elaborately below:
  • CT scan of the head: This imaging test for diagnosing brain cancer takes just a few minutes. CT scan of the head produces an image from the upper neck to the top of the head. During the test, the patient needs to keep his/her head at rest and cannot move. If the patient is unable to do such, then immobilization may be required. All types of jewelry, glasses, metallic things, and dentures need to be removed from the neck and head for preventing obstruction of the images. This test involves the use of x-rays and a computer in order to receive the images of the brain. Here, often a dye in injected intravenously so as to improve the dissimilarity between an abnormal mass and normal tissue. This test not only reveals the tumor, but sometimes also the kind of tumor can be identified.
  • MRI scan of the head: MRI scan provides detailed computer images of the brain and nerve tissues taken from multiple angles by making use of electromagnetic energy, without any obstruction by overlying bone. Mostly, MRI scans are performed for detecting or diagnosing spine and brain disorders. This test reveals abnormalities like edema or swelling of the brain tissue, and hemorrhage or bleeding. In some MRI cases, a dye is injected in an intravenous manner so as to improve the dissimilarity between an abnormal mass formation and a normal tissue.
  • EEG: This test helps in diagnosing the presence of seizure disorders. It also helps in detecting the type of seizure disorders, look for the causes, and then evaluate tumors, head injuries, infections, metabolic disturbances, etc. affecting the brain.
  • Biopsy: This provides an accurate diagnosis of the brain tumor where a small part of the tumor tissue is taken out by the help of surgery and is then examined by a pathologist.
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