According to the American Brain Tumor Association, brain cancers occur at any age, but they are more frequent in frequent in children and older adults. This source estimates that for every 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 209 have received a brain tumor diagnosis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is commonly used methods in diagnosing and following the progress of this illness.
Brain Cancer Symptoms
According to the Cancerhelp.org, common brain cancer symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and changes in personality. The symptoms are caused by the pressure that the growing tumor is causing in the brains. All of these symptoms tend to get more severe and frequent over time.
The location and the size of the tumor have strong effects on the symptoms. Since most of the cancer symptoms are common to many other conditions, it is difficult to diagnose a brain cancer based on the symptoms alone. MRI can be used to diagnose and monitor many diseases and disorders of the brains and spine.
What MRI Is
According to the RadiologyInfo.com, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is medical imaging technique that can be used to get a clear picture of the soft tissue of the brain. It is safe and non-invasive method that is based on strong magnets and pulses of radio wave energy. The scalp has no effect on the results, and pictures can be taken from any area of the brain in any angle.
MRI Procedure
When a brain MRI scan is taken the patient lies back on a narrow table, and the table is moves into a long tube. This narrow, open ended tube houses the magnet. Depending on the type of scanning performed, the procedure lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. Any movement during the scan results in unclear images that may not be used at all. The patient does not feel anything during the exam, but the MRI scanner is particularly noisy. Doctors may sometimes use a contrast dye to enhance the quality of the pictures. If this dye is used, it is typically given to the patients prior to the MRI scan.
Diagnosing Brain Cancer with MRI
Growing tumor in the brain can be seen in MRI scans easily. RadiologyInfo.com states, that it is typically of different color than the surrounding structures. Normal MRI scans show different shades of gray. If the MRI image has a portion that appears significantly darker or lighter, it is considered abnormal. When the two hemispheres of the brains are compared they should look almost identical in a healthy brain. Brain tumor causes them to look quite different. Brain cancer can also cause swelling and bleeding in the brains. All of this can be seen in the MRI images. Thus, after a MRI scan, doctors will have a clear understanding of the size and the location of the brain tumor.
Using MRI for the Operation and Follow-Up
Surgeons use the results of MRI scans to plan for the operation. CancerHelp.org says, that some brain tumors can be removed. In some cases, however, the doctors may decide that it is best to treat the tumor with radiation. MRI scan can be taken again after the operation or radiation to see if the entire tumor is gone and to make sure that it does not reappear. Even such repeated MRI scans are safe for the patient.
