Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Meningioma

Diagnosing a meningioma often starts with an MRI or CT scan. These scans can show that a tumor is there. But we often need more evaluation to understand how the tumor may act and if you need treatment.

At the Meningioma Center of Excellence, diagnosis means more than just finding a tumor. Our goal is to understand your tumor's unique traits so we can build the best treatment plan for you.

Advanced imaging

Advanced imaging plays a key role in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Along with standard MRI, some people benefit from special imaging that gives us more detail about the tumor's location, size and relationship to important brain structures.

Advanced imaging may include:

• Special MRI techniques
• Functional imaging (scans that show how parts of the brain work)
• Molecular imaging, such as a PET-CT with dotatate (a scan that highlights certain tumor cells)
• Imaging to check for a tumor that has come back

Getting these scans is important. But knowing when you need them, and how to read them, matters just as much.

Pathology and molecular testing

If you have surgery or a biopsy (a sample of tissue taken for testing), your tumor tissue can give us valuable information.

Our neuropathology and molecular pathology teams use advanced testing to help identify:

• The tumor's grade
• The risk of it returning
• Its molecular and genetic traits
• Possible treatment options
• If you qualify for a clinical trial

This information helps us create a care plan made for you.

Team evaluation

Every patient benefits from a team of experts who focus on meningioma care.

Our team includes:

• Brain surgeons
• Neuro-oncologists
• Radiation oncologists
• Neuroradiologists
• Neuropathologists
• Clinical research specialists

Together, they review your imaging, pathology, molecular testing, symptoms and treatment history. Then they create a plan made for you.