Surgical biopsy

A biopsy, which removes a small sample of tissue to be analyzed for cancer cells, is the most accurate way to diagnose a brain tumor. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to determine how much it differs from normal tissue. This tells the doctor the grade of the tumor–how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread–so an effective plan of treatment can be devised.

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A biopsy is performed in one of two ways. In a stereotactic brain biopsy, a surgeon makes a small hole in the skull and passes a needlelike biopsy instrument into the brain to retrieve tissue. The needle is guided by a CT or MRI scan to the location of the tumor and special computers. Alternatively, an open biopsy is when a tissue sample is taken by opening the skull, often during surgery to therapeutically remove the tumor.