However, early detection is important as early treatment may limit the extent of damage to physical and mental functions. Making the diagnosis of a brain tumor has been greatly simplified since the advent of CT scans and MRI scans. For certain types of brain tumors, it is also important to analyze cerebrospinal fluid, obtained by a lumbar puncture, for the presence of tumor cells. The first treatment for most brain tumors is either surgery to remove the tumor or a biopsy to obtain a small sample of tumor. The tumor tissue that is removed is used to determine the exact type of tumor.
Additional treatment depends on the tumor type and amount of tumor removed.
Side effects of surgery include the risks of infection, blood clotting, seizures and, in some cases, increased neurological deficit that may be temporary or permanent. Radiation Therapy Conventional radiation therapy uses external beams of either x or gamma rays aimed at the tumor. The therapy is given over a period of several weeks. Other types of radiation also are available. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a high, single dose of radiation to a small, well-defined area.