Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Brain Cancer

Biopsy

A doctor may need to perform a biopsy on a patient's brain tissues to make a proper and definitive diagnosis of brain cancer. Two main types of biopsies may be performed to help with the diagnosis. A surgical or open biopsy involves removing a portion of the patient's skull to provide adequate access to the brain tumor. Portions of the tumor are sent to a lab that examines them while the surgeons continue removing the tumor. When the surgeon is satisfied with the degree of excision, the missing portion of the skull is replaced, and the wound is stitched up. The pathology report on the tumor tissue can help determine the next steps in treatment. A stereotactic or closed biopsy involves the use of a local anesthetic that freezes the patient's scalp. An incision is made in the scalp, and a drill is utilized to produce a small hole in the bone. With the guidance of imaging technology, the surgeon manipulates a hollow needle into the tumor to collect tissue samples that are then sent to the lab for biopsy. This type of biopsy helps identify specific characteristics of the tumor that may provide the opportunity to use advanced targeted treatment methods alongside traditional methods.

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