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How is brain cancer diagnosed?

Brain cancer diagnosis involves physical examination, imaging tests (CT or MRI), tissue biopsies, molecular testing, and lumbar puncture to analyze cerebrospinal fluid for cancer cells.

A number of tests will be performed to investigate symptoms of brain cancer and confirm a diagnosis. Some of the more common tests include:[1]

  • a physical examination
  • imaging tests such as a computerised tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • taking a sample of tissue (biopsy) from the brain for examination under a microscope.
  • molecular testing of biopsy sample to guide treatment options
  • lumbar puncture to look for cancer cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

References

  1. https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-brain-tumour-booklet
  2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (US) (2016). NCCN guidelines for patients: brain cancer – gliomas, version 1.2016 https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients/guidelines-for-patients-details?patientGuidelineId=5
  3. Cancer Council Australia (2020). Brain cancer https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer
  4. American Cancer Society (2020). Brain and spinal cord tumors in adults https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html
Last updated 18 September 2024
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