Can a head CT scan detect brain cancer?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thuc Vy - Doctor of Diagnostic Imaging - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

1. Why need brain CT?

A brain CT scan can provide more detailed information than a regular X-ray. And especially CT scan results are useful when the doctor wants to check the good vessels and soft tissue.
A brain CT scan can be done to evaluate the brain for tumors and other lesions, trauma, intracranial bleeding, and structural anomalies and also helps:
● Look for possible destruction Occurs after head trauma, such as soft tissue trauma, brain bleeding, or bone trauma.
● Evaluate a person with stroke-like symptoms for signs of a blood clot or bleeding in the brain.
● Look for a possible brain tumor or other brain-related abnormalities.
● Assess the birth condition that caused the skull to form abnormally.
● Evaluate a person with a history of hydrocephalus - a condition that causes enlargement of the ventricular system.
If a person has brain related symptoms such as personality changes or the body's movements (Paralia, weakness) are affected, the doctor may order a CT scan of the brain to make sure that the abnormality The brain is not the cause of these symptoms.
Brain CT scans can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment for brain tumors and detect blood clots in the brain that may be the cause of a stroke. Or it is also used to provide instructions for brain surgery or brain biopsies.

2. When to perform brain CT?

Cases that need to be ordered by a doctor to have a brain CT scan such as:
There are unusual changes in thinking and behavior
● Fainting
● Headache
● Hearing loss (occurs less in some people) )
Have signs and symptoms of partial brain damage.

3. Can a CT scan of the head detect brain cancer?

Brain cancer is one of the diseases causing a very high mortality rate. Currently, with a number of environmental agents, chemicals (radioactive substances, toxic chemicals...) make the rate of brain cancer increase rapidly.
Besides, brain cancer is also quite a dangerous disease because the symptoms of the disease are difficult to recognize in the early stages. Signs and symptoms can be seen when the disease is advanced. At that time, the chance to cure the disease is almost zero. Therefore, head CT scan is one of the most effective imaging support methods for brain cancer. This method helps to detect tumors in the brain with a fairly high rate, about 90%.
Head CT scan results are 2D and 3D images that clearly show the damage inside the brain, making it possible for doctors to detect these tumors even though they are very small. In addition, the doctor will also combine a number of other methods to make a definitive diagnosis of the disease. From there, it can also help determine detailed information such as: tumor size, condition, location as well as consider whether it is benign or malignant.

4. Is CT brain scan dangerous?

Before having a brain CT scan, talk to your doctor about the amount of radioactive material used during the procedure and the risks associated with specific situations. At the same time, you should keep a history of past X-ray exposure to report back to your doctor.
The risks associated with X-ray exposure may be related to the cumulative number of X-ray examinations or treatments over a long period of time.

5. Who is contraindicated with head CT scan?

Some subjects will be affected when using brain CT such as:
● Pregnant women: If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should inform your doctor. Because, when you are exposed to radiation during pregnancy can lead to birth defects.
● Patients who are allergic to special drugs called contrast agents . In addition, nursing mothers also need to talk with their doctor about when to breastfeed again after contrast injection.
● Patients with diabetes : These people often take the diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) should tell their doctor before injecting contrast. Because, contrast media can cause diabetics to have a rare condition called metabolic acidosis. In this case, the doctor will ask to stop taking the medicine at the time of the procedure and wait 48 hours after the procedure to start taking the medicine again. In addition, blood tests are needed to check kidney function.
Brain CT scan is a technique widely used in clinical practice to detect tumors with tumors, and at the same time evaluate brain and other lesions, trauma, intracranial bleeding, structural malformations, etc. .to promptly detect the cause of the disease, thereby having an effective treatment.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for brain tumor examination and treatment at Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, customers will enjoy double incentives:
- Free specialist examination and discount 50% of many cancer screening packages
- Reduce 50% of costs for customers who have indicated treatment after examination. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.

Vinmec International General Hospital is proud to be one of the general hospital systems that have invested in modern CT scanners with a team of doctors who are top experts who can conduct imaging, diagnose, detect the pathology of brain damage, at the same time find out the causes of the disease, from which there is a direction to examine, treat and restore the patient's health.
To register for medical examination and treatment at Vinmec Health System nationwide, customers can register HERE for support.
References: urmc.rochester.edu, medicalnewstoday.com, hopkinsmedicine.org

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