A doctor will take a detailed history of any symptoms and complete a thorough examination. If a brain tumour is suspected, a referral to a neurologist or neurosurgeon will be made. These specialists will check how different parts of the brain are functioning.

Two main tests, CT scanning and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are used to detect brain tumours and help the doctors to plan the most effective treatment. If a doctor thinks there is a secondary tumour, which comes from a cancer elsewhere in the body, other tests to the find primary tumour – for example tests on breasts or lungs will need to be carried out.

CT Scan/CAT Scan

A CT scan x-ray machine looks like a very large doughnut about 1.5 metres wide, so the hole in the middle of the doughnut is about 1 metres across. The doctor will ask the patient to lie on a couch in the middle of the central hole. Cameras within the machine can then take a series of x-ray pictures from all around your body. A computer then uses these pictures to build up a detailed cross-section pictures of the brain – a bit like pictures of slices from a loaf of bread. To make the detail clearer in the pictures, the doctor may inject a dye into one of the patient’s veins, usually in the arm.

During the scan, patients will be asked to lie with their whole head inside an opening in the scanner. The whole test may take up to half an hour to complete and is completely painless. Most people are able to go home as soon as the scan is over.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This test is similar to a CT scan, but it uses magnetism instead of X-rays to build up a series of very clear and detailed cross section pictures of the brain. Like a CT scan, an MRI is completely painless . A patient will be asked to lie very still on a couch inside a metal tunnel, which is open at both ends. The whole test may take up to an hour to complete. The tunnel can make some people feel quite claustrophobic, but usually someone can be taken into the room for company. The magnet is very noisy and music through headphones may be provided to help provide some distraction.

Aniogram

This test is used very rarely. Dye is injected into an artery and a series of xrays are take as the dye flows through the blood vessels of the brain. This process will help show up the position of the tumour and blood vessels supplying it. The patient may also be required to stay overnight in hospital, as an anaesthetic or other form of sedation may be used.