Screening & Diagnosis

You can't prevent brain tumors. Unlike other types of cancer, lifestyle factors don't affect a person's chances of developing a brain or spinal cord tumor. As a result, there are no preventative or screening measures for these lesions.

Brain tumor management begins with the Holy Cross Health Cancer Center’s sophisticated diagnostic neuroradiology capabilities, which include a range of neuroradiology imaging tools. This is the team’s first step before developing a comprehensive plan of brain cancer treatment options. 

Neuroradiologists "map" the brain using sophisticated imaging tools to precisely locate structural or vascular abnormalities before surgery. Neurosurgeons use this brain mapping to navigate during surgery, reducing damage to surrounding brain tissue.

Diagnostic imaging gives the team important information that can help them identify the patient’s specific type of brain or central nervous system cancer. Diagnostic imaging tools include:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses magnetic fields to create an image. Contrast “dye” may be injected during the study. An MRI can show blood flow to the tumor.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scans – use sophisticated X-ray technology to create pictures from many angles.
• Bi-Plane Angiography – produces real-time images of complex structures and vessels from two different angles

Many brain tumors are not cancer. However, in many cases, it’s hard to tell whether a tumor is cancer or not just by looking at imaging. A biopsy is a procedure that removes some cells from a suspicious area, so that they can be examined under a microscope to see if the cells are cancerous.

Types of Tumors

It is important for us to identify what kind of tumor you may have so we can plan the most effective treatment. At Holy Cross Health, we have the tools, training, and experience necessary to treat all types of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. Primary tumors begin in the brain and there are many different subtypes of these tumors, such as:

• Glioma: one of the most common types of brain tumors and there are many different grades of gliomas based on characteristics. Not all gliomas are malignant, and treatment will vary based on the type and grade of your tumor.
• Meningioma: a tumor that grows from the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. A meningioma is typically benign.
• Acoustic Neuroma: a benign brain tumor that grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve, influencing balance and hearing. Acoustic neuromas are rare and usually slow growing.
• Pineal Tumor: originate in the pineal gland, a small gland deep within the brain. These tumors can be malignant or benign.
• Pituitary Tumor: arises from the pituitary gland, the gland primarily responsible for regulating your hormones.
• Secondary or Metastatic Brain Tumors: tumors that have spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body. Cancers that commonly spread to the brain are lung, breast, skin, colon, and kidney cancers.