“Are all tumors cancerous?”
My father’s MRI showed a tumor in the brain. Is every tumor cancerous? How will it be tested now?
11 Answers
Not all tumors are aggressive. Some
Can be very slow growing and may not change overtime. A biopsy can tell you what type of tumor your father has.
Can be very slow growing and may not change overtime. A biopsy can tell you what type of tumor your father has.
In the brain, it doesn't matter. Brain tumors kill people by crushing or destroying important structures of the brain. Calling them cancer, or benign, or malignant, is really irrelevant to the treatment or the prognosis. The decision to treat a tumor in the brain depends on its size, location, growth rate, and ultimately tissue type. If it does need to be treated because it is growing or causing symptoms, then a tissue diagnosis will be obtained at the time of surgery to determine whether any further treatment is necessary after surgery.
No, frequently intracranially tumors can be benign or successfully treated after biopsy or excision.
No, not all brain tumors are cancerous. There are many many different types of tumors. Many are benign. The MRI scan is helpful, although we never know what type of tumor we are dealing with until we have a piece of it to examine in the pathology lab. Some things that are read as a tumor turn out even to be inflammation, or something other than tumor. It would be best for him to see Someone like me who specializes in brain tumors for a consultation. A biopsy or removal of the tumor may be the best thing, or depending on what it looks like, it may be safe to watch it and do follow-up scans. I wish you the best, Jim
Not every tumor is cancerous. Some tumors are benign. Depending on the MRI characteristics, if the diagnosis is uncertain, then a biopsy can be performed.
Not all tumors or masses are malignant. some maybe a proliferation of normal tissue. Others are benign which means they do not spread to distant parts of the body. Benign tumors may recur in the original location after removal.
Hello, thanks for your question. Not all tumors are cancerous, it depends on the imaging characteristics one can have an idea as to whether the tumor is aggressive or not, but the only way to know for sure is when a tissue sample is sent to pathology to know exactly its diagnosis, which is now not only histológical, but also molecular to have a better idea as to the long-term prognosis and response to therapy.
Jacob Januszewski
Neurosurgeon
No some can be benign
No, not all tumors in the brain are cancerous. The treatment is based on what the tumor looks like and the symptoms that he has. He should see a neurosurgeon who can examine him and look at the films and explain what it might be and the treatment options. They may include surgery, biopsy, or other treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy.
No some brain tumors are benign and some are malignant (cancerous). Even benign brain tumors, however, may require treatment because they might continue to grow.
Often, the appearance on the MRI scan is highly suggestive of whether or not a tumor is benign or malignant, but in some cases, it is necessary to obtain a biopsy to be sure.
For some tumors, the appropriate next step is surgery to biopsy and remove it. For other cases, it may be appropriate to biopsy only. For other patients, radiosurgery (a form of radiation therapy) may be appropriate without surgery. Finally, in some patients, doctors recommend no treatment, but merely follow up scans from time to time.
All these decisions depend on details of what was found on the MRI scan and what the other medical issues are with the patient.
Often, the appearance on the MRI scan is highly suggestive of whether or not a tumor is benign or malignant, but in some cases, it is necessary to obtain a biopsy to be sure.
For some tumors, the appropriate next step is surgery to biopsy and remove it. For other cases, it may be appropriate to biopsy only. For other patients, radiosurgery (a form of radiation therapy) may be appropriate without surgery. Finally, in some patients, doctors recommend no treatment, but merely follow up scans from time to time.
All these decisions depend on details of what was found on the MRI scan and what the other medical issues are with the patient.
There are many types of tumors that can occur in the brain, from metastasis to primary brain tumors. The primary intracranial tumors can be benign or malignant. You should have it seen by a neurosurgeon who can direct you on the next step.
