Brain Tumour Biopsy

Brain Tumour

• A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells present from the brain or its nerves or its coverings
• It can arise from cells inside the brain/nerves/brain coverings, and can be cancerous or noncancerous
• It can also be a cancerous growth that has spread to the brain from a cancer present in another part of the body

Tumour Biopsy

• In some brain cancer cases, removal of some tumour tissue (biopsy) to confirm its nature and its suitability for further treatment (radiation therapy, chemotherapy) may be all that can be done
• This biopsy is done with MRI-guidance using a special metal frame (frame-based) or a computerised neuronavigation system (frameless)
• It can be done under Local or General anaesthesia
• A small scalp incision is needed
• A small opening, the size of a 10 cent coin, is made in the skull bone
• A biopsy needle is inserted to take out samples of the brain tumour tissue