How brain tomours are diagnosed

Usually, if you have slowly developing symptoms you will see your family doctor, who will examine you. If a brain tumour is suspected, he or she will refer you to a specialist doctor, either a neurologist (a specialist in brain and nerve disorders) or an oncologist (a doctor who specialises in cancer treatment).

Sometimes people with brain tumours have a sudden epileptic fit and may be taken straight to hospital, where tests are carried out to diagnose the tumour.

At the hospital the doctor will take details of your medical history and will ask you about the symptoms you may have been having. You will then have a general physical examination in which the doctor may listen to your chest and feel your abdomen to check your general health, and you will have a detailed examination to test your nervous system.

The nervous system examination may include:

• Mental exercises, such as simple arithmetic and simple questions.
• An eye examination using an ophthalmoscope (instrument which shines a light at the back of the eye). This test is done to see if the optic disc at the back of your eye is swollen. A swollen optic disc is known as papilloedema and is a sign of raised intracranial pressure. Your all-round vision will also be tested.
• Hearing tests.
• Facial muscle tests – smiling, grimacing.
• Tongue movement, checking your swallow (gag) reflex.
• Checking the strength of your arms and legs, your knee jerks and other reflexes.
• The doctor will test your ability to feel pinpricks on areas of skin, to tell the difference between hot and cold and possibly to recognise the feeling and shape of familiar objects like coins.
• Checking your balance and co-ordination, e.g. by asking you to walk a few steps or perform repeated movements.