How Are Brain Tumors Diagnosed?
Posted on Jul 27, 2017 10:00am PDT
If your physician suspects you could have a brain tumor, getting an accurate
diagnosis quickly is essential. Among the many tools your physician may
use to make a diagnosis, you may be referred to a medical imaging clinic. At
Concord Imaging Center in San Antonio, we offer patient-driven medical imaging at an affordable cost. Here is
a closer look at some of the tests used to diagnose brain tumors.
Neurological Exam
During a neurological exam, a specialist will evaluate things like your
vision, balance, hearing, coordination, and reflexes. If you demonstrate
signs of diminished function, it could indicate that you have a brain
tumor and in what region of the brain the tumor is located. Keep in mind
that many conditions can cause these non-specific symptoms, so a neurological
exam is not an adequate tool for making a definitive diagnosis. It is
simply a piece of a diagnostic puzzle.
PET Scan
PET stands for positron emission tomography. PET scans require the use
of a special trace dye that contains a small amount of radiation. As the
dye is absorbed into your organs and tissues, it can help your radiologist
pinpoint very small changes in cellular metabolism that could indicate
the growth of abnormal tissue. PET scans are the only medical imaging
tests that show changes on the cellular level, which means it is sensitive
enough to detect cancer in very early stages. In addition to helping to
diagnose brain tumors, PET scans can determine if the cancer has metastasized
and may also be used to see if any treatments being used for tumors are
effective.
CT Scans
Computerized tomography, or CT scans, use X-ray beams to provide more
targeted and detailed images than conventional X-rays. During CT scans,
your radiologist can look for abnormalities in organs, bones, blood vessels,
and soft tissue. CT scans are often used in conjunction with PET scans
to diagnose cancer, determine cancer staging, and track treatment progress.