Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is the term used to describe a malignancy in an individual's brain tissues. Mutations in cellular DNA cause the cells to multiply out of control and grow into a tumor. Cancer from other parts of the body can spread to the brain and cause what is known as metastatic brain cancer or brain metastasis. Some cancers of the brain do not produce any noticeable symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Symptoms that do occur in brain cancer patients are the result of the tumor encroaching or compressing other structures in the brain and stopping them from healthy function. Symptoms are also caused by brain swelling that results from the tumor or inflamed surrounding tissues. Weakness, walking difficulties, headache, clumsiness, and seizures are symptoms of brain cancer.

Numerous tools can be used to make a brain cancer diagnosis and several methods may be used to treat it. Get to know these now.

CT And MRI Scans

A doctor may utilize diagnostic imaging technology such as CT scans and MRI scans to assist them with making a brain cancer diagnosis. An MRI is a type of diagnostic imaging that utilizes magnetic fields to create detailed images of the structures in a patient's body. Before the MRI scan, the patient is injected with a special dye to provide greater accuracy of the location, size, and shape of the brain tumor. A CT scan is different than an MRI because it utilizes numerous x-rays taken from varying angles to develop a three-dimensional image of the brain and tumor. A contrast medium is also administered before taking CT scans of the brain. MRI scans can provide greater detail and a more accurate depiction of the brain and tumor than CT scans. However, CT scans are beneficial in uncommon cases where a patient has a pacemaker or cannot undergo an MRI for other reasons. Depending on the location and extent of the brain tumor, MRIs and CT scans may be taken of the patient's brain, spinal cord, or both. These imaging techniques are useful when it comes to the diagnosis and staging of brain cancer.

Learn more about diagnosing brain cancer now.