Diagnosing Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are masses of cells in or near the brain that have multiplied in an uncontrolled way. They can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Sometimes brain tumors advance quickly. Other times they grow so slowly that they do not require immediate treatment.
In addition to evaluating malignancy and rate of growth, doctors identify what type of tumor you may have. They do so in part by determining whether the tumor is primary or secondary. Primary tumors start in the brain, while secondary tumors spread there from elsewhere in the body.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT DIAGNOSIS FOR BRAIN TUMORS
1Getting Started In Your Care
2Getting Your Diagnosis
Consultation & Testing: What to Expect »
3Planning Your Treatment
4Undergoing Treatment & Follow-Up
Select your type of treatment below.
Diagnosing a brain tumor involves several steps. Your doctor typically starts by asking about your medical history, including any previous illnesses that might have weakened your immune system or involved radiation therapy. Your doctor will also ask about your family history, your habits, and your lifestyle.
Doctors use a neurological exam to diagnose brain tumors. During this exam, your doctor looks for changes to your vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes. These changes can identify which part of your brain may be affected by a tumor.
First Visit
Consultation
Test Results
We collect your previous test reports and other medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor.
a. Our goal is to review them before we meet with you so that we understand your unique case. Knowing the details of any previous diagnoses and treatments helps us provide the best possible care for you.
b. When you schedule your first appointment, our patient coordinators will contact your primary care physician and any other doctors to gather all of your records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor. If we cannot obtain them in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. You can speak with your patient coordinator or your doctor for more details.
Some types of medical records that you should keep include:
- Imaging test results, either on paper or stored on a DVD
- Pathology reports from any biopsies or surgeries
- Operative reports from any surgeries
- Treatment summary for radiation therapy, if you had it
- List of medications, doses, and how long you took them for systemic therapy such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy
- Discharge summary if you had a hospital stay
- Contact information for health care providers who treated you for cancer
c. Our team meets with you for a thorough diagnostic evaluation. We gather more information during your first appointment but may still need additional tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
d. If needed, you may undergo further imaging tests, blood work, or a biopsy.
After this testing, it typically takes a few days to 2 weeks to review the results and confirm your diagnosis. Getting your test results can take time because your care team is working hard to determine an accurate diagnosis for you.
Many health care professionals collaborate in the process and provide expert analysis, including your oncologist (cancer doctor), radiologist, and pathologist. Years of experience studying cancer every day means your pathologist can accurately identify critical details, such as whether the cancer:
i. Shows a high or low cell grade (rating that describes how different the cancer cells are from normal cells)
ii. Is aggressive or slow growing
Stanford brain tumor experts from several specialties meet as a team in weekly tumor boards. Based on the diagnosis, we determine our recommendations for the best sequence of treatment for each patient.
Treatment recommendations
The oncologist (either medical, surgical, or radiation) who will begin your first treatment meets with you to discuss the recommended treatment plan. Together, you and your doctor decide on the treatment options that are right for you.
We collect your previous test reports and other medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor.
a. Our goal is to review them before we meet with you so that we understand your unique case. Knowing the details of any previous diagnoses and treatments helps us provide the best possible care for you.
b. When you schedule your first appointment, our patient coordinators will contact your primary care physician and any other doctors to gather all of your records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor. If we cannot obtain them in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. You can speak with your patient coordinator or your doctor for more details.
Some types of medical records that you should keep include:
- Imaging test results, either on paper or stored on a DVD
- Pathology reports from any biopsies or surgeries
- Operative reports from any surgeries
- Treatment summary for radiation therapy, if you had it
- List of medications, doses, and how long you took them for systemic therapy such as chemotherapy or targeted therapy
- Discharge summary if you had a hospital stay
- Contact information for health care providers who treated you for cancer
c. Our team meets with you for a thorough diagnostic evaluation. We gather more information during your first appointment but may still need additional tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
d. If needed, you may undergo further imaging tests, blood work, or a biopsy.
close First Visit
After this testing, it typically takes a few days to 2 weeks to review the results and confirm your diagnosis. Getting your test results can take time because your care team is working hard to determine an accurate diagnosis for you.
Many health care professionals collaborate in the process and provide expert analysis, including your oncologist (cancer doctor), radiologist, and pathologist. Years of experience studying cancer every day means your pathologist can accurately identify critical details, such as whether the cancer:
i. Shows a high or low cell grade (rating that describes how different the cancer cells are from normal cells)
ii. Is aggressive or slow growing
close Consultation
Stanford brain tumor experts from several specialties meet as a team in weekly tumor boards. Based on the diagnosis, we determine our recommendations for the best sequence of treatment for each patient.
Treatment recommendations
The oncologist (either medical, surgical, or radiation) who will begin your first treatment meets with you to discuss the recommended treatment plan. Together, you and your doctor decide on the treatment options that are right for you.
close Test Results
At Stanford, we tailor the diagnostic phase of Brain tumors care to each patient. If you need further testing to complete your diagnosis, your doctor and care team will work with you to determine which tests you need. Tests may include:
- Brain Tumor Imaging Tests (Radiology)
To obtain the most precise understanding of your tumor, your doctor may schedule you for different types of imaging that diagnose and treat brain tumors. If you have been screened elsewhere and received abnormal results, we may perform additional imaging, if needed. - Brain Tumor Biopsy (Pathology)
If your imaging or other screening tests show that you may have brain tumors, you will need a biopsy. This test takes a tiny sample of cells from abnormal tissues. - Genetic Testing For Brain Tumors
Genetic testing is a medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. For brain tumors, genetic testing can show whether you have inherited mutations in genes related to the disease. - Brain Tumors Lab Tests (Blood Draws)
Before and during treatment, your doctor will ask you to have your blood drawn and tested at a lab. Blood tests can provide a variety of information, helping to establish your diagnosis and plan your course of brain tumors treatment.