Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- family history of brain tumour
Other diagnostic factors
- headache
- neurological deficit
- seizure
- family history of NF2
- history of breast cancer
- history of radiation
Risk factors
- radiotherapy
- genetic predisposition
- hormones: endogenous and exogenous
- head trauma
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- MRI head or spine without and with contrast
- CT head or spine
Investigations to consider
- angiography
- histopathology of surgical resection
Treatment algorithm
age ≤65 years and good surgical candidate
age >65 years or poor surgical candidate
recurrent tumour following surgical resection
Contributors
Authors
William T. Couldwell, MD, PhD, FACS

Professor and Chairman
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Utah School of Medicine
Salt Lake City
UT
Disclosures
WTC is an author of several references cited in this topic.
Acknowledgements
Professor William T. Couldwell would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Jayson A. Neil, a previous contributor to this topic. JAN declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Marc Chamberlain, MD
Professor of Neurology
Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
University of Washington
Seattle
WA
Disclosures
MC is an author of several references cited in this topic.
Ian McCutcheon, MD
Professor of Neurosurgery
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Houston
TX
Disclosures
IM declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Dural metastasis
- Granuloma
- Pituitary adenoma (in appropriate parasellar location)
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Brain tumours (primary) and brain metastases in adults
- Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
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