Brain Metastases Diagnosis

If you may have a brain metastasis, it is important to get the most accurate assessment possible. This will help your doctor pinpoint the tumor to give you the most advanced treatment while limiting side effects.

At MD Anderson, we have the most modern and accurate equipment available to identify brain metastases and find out exactly how far they may have spread. 

If you have symptoms that may suggest brain metastases, your doctor will examine you and order one or more of the following tests.

Imaging tests

Imaging exams look for where cancer is inside the body. Imaging exams for brain tumors may include:

• CT (computed tomography) scans.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Biopsy

Most brain metastases are diagnosed with an imaging exam and clinical assessment by a care team. In some cases, a biopsy is needed. During a biopsy, samples of suspected cancer tissue are retrieved with a needle or through surgery. Doctors then examine the tissue under a microscope to make a diagnosis.

Molecular diagnosis

Different cancers have different features on the molecular level. A molecular diagnosis identifies the features that can impact treatment. This information can help doctors create the most effective treatment plan for each patient.

Leptomeningeal metastases diagnosis

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a type of central nervous system metastasis. It involves the spread of cancer cells to the leptomeninges, the inner lining of the brain and spinal cord, as well as cerebrospinal fluid.

LM is diagnosed through a neurologic exam by a neuro-oncologist; an MRI of the brain and spine; and/or an examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CFS), a clear liquid in and around the brain and spine.

CFS is retrieved during lumbar puncture. During this procedure, doctors inert a special hollow needle between two vertebrae in the lower back to withdraw the fluid.