Brain Tumors

Your Brain Health Is in Expert Hands

If you've been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you'll need to make some major decisions about your care. We understand this can feel overwhelming. But you're not alone.

At ProMedica, our whole team – highly specialized neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and nurses – joins together to support every step of your care. You can feel secure in the combined expertise of ProMedica Neurosciences Institute and ProMedica Cancer Institute.

You'll benefit from a complete spectrum of services, including diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and follow-up care.

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor is a growth or mass of abnormal cells in the brain that may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Some are formed inside the brain (glioma). Other tumors start as cancer somewhere else in the body and then land in the brain (metastatic). There are also tumors that grow on the outside surface of the brain and create pressure (meningioma). Every type of brain tumor has many levels of severity and there are different treatments for each type.

It's important to know the risks for developing a brain tumor, especially if you have a family history. Many times, these symptoms may appear: new or changing headaches, seizures, hearing or vision loss, fatigue and cognitive issues. But the type, size and location of a tumor can also dictate the kinds of symptoms you have. If you have any concerns, please talk about them with your family doctor.

Diagnosis

Your family doctor may perform a standard neurological exam to measure your nervous system function. If your doctor has concerns after your exam, a CT scan of your brain may also be ordered.

If a brain tumor is detected from your CT scan, you'll likely be referred to a neurosurgeon or oncologist. They will evaluate you further, which often includes a biopsy.

During a biopsy, a piece of the tumor is removed and sent to a pathologist for testing. A biopsy can help your doctor decide if the tumor is cancerous, understand how severe it is and detect any growth patterns.