Brain Tumor

What are signs of brain tumors?

The signs of brain tumors depend on tumor size, type, & location. Signs may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or damages a sure area of the brain. They also may be caused when the brain swells or liquid builds up within the cranium.

These are the most common signs of brain tumors:

  Headaches (usually worse in the morning)

  Changes in speech, vision, or hearing

  Nausea or vomiting

  Issues balancing or jogging

  Changes in mood, persona, or ability to concentrate

  Issues with memory

  Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)

  Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

These signs are not sure signs of a brain tumor. Other conditions also could cause these issues. Somebody with these signs ought to see a doctor as soon as feasible. Only a doctor can diagnose & treat the issue.

How are brain tumors diagnosed?

If a person has signs that recommend a brain tumor, the doctor may perform or more of the following procedures:

  Physical examination - The doctor checks general signs of health.

  Neurologic examination - The doctor checks for alertness, muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, & response to pain. The doctor also examines the eyes to look for swelling caused by a tumor pressing on the nerve that connects the eye & brain.

  CT scan - An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pics of the head. The patient may get an injection of a special dye so the brain shows up clearly in the pics. The pics can show tumors in the brain.

  MRI - A powerful magnet linked to a computer makes detailed pics of areas inside the body. These pics are viewed on a monitor & may even be printed. Sometimes a special dye is injected to help show differences in the tissues of the brain. The pics can show a tumor or other issue in the brain.

The doctor may ask for other tests:

  Angiogram - Dye injected in to the bloodstream flows in to the blood vessels in the brain to make them show up on an x-ray. If a tumor is present, the doctor may be able to see it on the x-ray.

  Spinal tap - The doctor may remove a sample of cerebrospinal liquid (the liquid that fills the spaces in & around the brain & spinal cord). This procedure is performed with local anesthesia. The doctor makes use of a long, narrow needle to remove liquid from the spinal column. A spinal tap takes about 30 minutes. The patient must lie flat for several hours afterward to keep from getting a headache. A laboratory checks the liquid for cancer cells or other signs of issues.

  Cranium x-ray - Some types of brain tumors cause calcium deposits in the brain or changes in the bones of the cranium. With an x-ray, the doctor can check for these changes.

  Myelogram - This is an x-ray of the backbone. A spinal tap is performed to inject a special dye in to the cerebrospinal liquid. The patient is tilted to permit the dye to mix with the liquid. This check helps the doctor detect a tumor in the spinal cord.

  Biopsy - The removal of tissue to look for tumor cells is called a biopsy. A pathologist looks at the cells under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. A biopsy can show cancer, tissue changes that may lead to cancer, & other conditions. A biopsy is the only sure way to diagnose a brain tumor.