How do doctors find out if a tumor is malignant?

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What procedure is done to see if a tumor is malignant? Is a simple MRI enough to make that conclusion?
When you have a MRI or CT scan, a radiologist can be fairly confident that a mass/tumor is either malignant or benign, in certain cases. For example, a lymph node has classic characteristics which cannot be confused with a cancer. A simple kidney cyst (which appears as a mass) can be diagnosed by ultrasound, MRI and CT scanning. It is hard to confuse a simple kidney cyst with anything that is malignant. When we do a CT or MRI scan, and a mass does not enhance with a contrast media (dye) injection, we can be fairly confident that the mass is benign. Malignant masses almost always enhance....but some benign masses also enhance.
There are many instances when a tumor does not fall into a clear cut category, and a tissue sample is needed to make a diagnosis. For example, on a mammogram, a mass might be found, and we can be very certain it is a malignant mass, but we do not know what type of breast cancer, until there is a biopsy and tissue sample.

My boyfriend had a grand mal seizure in June, and a CT scan found a fist sized brain tumor. The neurosurgeon and radiologist were both very confident it was a meningioma (benign), but it had to be removed due to its size. I still held my breath until the pathology report came back and reported it was indeed a meningioma.  (+ info)

Is it possible to fight a malignant cancer tumor in the spine?

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Well a friend of mine has a malignant cancer tumor in his spine near something in the spine that connects to the brain. This is very important question thank you.
YES. My lung cancer had spread to the spine and that is where it was first diagnosed. It was successfully (so far) treated with radiation therapy. I still have cancer in both lungs and that is being treated with chemo. Actually it isn't being treated in the sense that we expect a cure. The chemo treatments are for maintenance to (hopefully) keep the cancer from growing and/or spreading. I hope your friend is successfully treated for his/her cancer.  (+ info)

What is the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor?

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A) Benign tumors arise by transformation; malignant tumors don't.
B) Benign tumors do not metastasize; malignant tumors do.
C) Benign tumors metastasize; malignant tumors don't.
E) Benign tumors do not arise by transformation; malignant tumors do.
I'm pretty sure it's B benign tumours are not cancerous where as malignant are and have the ability to "spread" (metastasize)  (+ info)

Can y ou have a malignant tumor behind your eye without having any headaches, seizures or classic symptoms?

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I am very concerned about my mother.The eye specialist told her ( only from looking in her eye) that she had a malignant tumor there and they are going to do tests to make sure it's not soming from anywhere else. Her only symptom is changing vision, lights and poor close up vision. How does this specialist know from only looking in her eyes? If anyone out ther has experience or knowledge I really thank you for you help.
I don't know, but that doesn't sound good. I wouldn't be surprised if you can have headaches or seizures considering the fact that the tumor is located on the frontal lobe. I'm surprised he didn't say anything about glaucoma. It could be a sign of that, too.  (+ info)

How does a benign tumor differ from a malignant tumor?

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I know that benign isn't cancerous and malignant is... but I want to know, if there a difference in growth, feeling, look??? I have a tumor on my lip and a lump on my cervix... I'm so worry, I am having the one on my lip removed next month, but before then, is there any way to tell the difference?? Please, I'm only 18 & so worried!
When they remove the tumour they will do a biopsy which means they will examine the tumour for cancer cells. That is the only way to tell if it is cancerous. Having said that I would say that if your doctor really thought that you had cancer he would not be waiting a month to do the surgery. You would be on a emergency list to have it done now. I had a friend who
is much older than you and she found a lump on her breast
She called her doctor and he saw her that day. He was
sure it was cancer. She saw the surgeon the next day and had the biopsy and the day after that her breast was removed. I was away for a long weekend and came back to this. It was done on Friday Saturday and Sunday. Imagine
how shocked I was when I called her on Monday and found out from her daughter what had happened. If they seriously
think something is wrong they can move like lightening and
everyone else gets pushed back to let you in. Besides which you are awfullly young to have cancer.  (+ info)

How can you tell the difference between a malignant tumor and a benighn tumor?

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Without A cat scan or MRI , What are the charecteristics of both do they feel different do they do different things like shrink or expand do all malignant tumors hurt?
One way of telling (but not a 100%) if the tumor is hard and won't move that is a sign that you need to see a Dr. ASAP. If the tumor is mushy and moves around then it is proble benighn but either way you need to a dr. This only works if the tumor is in a place where you can feel it. I am a nurse and this is what I have heard Dr.'s say repeatedly to their patients. I hope this helps.  (+ info)

What kind of tumor is it Benign or malignant?

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The X-rays from a client showed a small (1 mm diameter) nodule in his right lung. The X-rays were taken 19 days ago. and now in today's X-ray, the nodule is 3.5 cm in diameter. Is this tumor benign or malignant?
malignant, because it's growing.  (+ info)

Can a benign bone tumor transform into a malignant bone tumor?

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My boyfriend just found out that he has a benign bone tumor that is relatively small and nothing to worry about really. The doctor said to come back in 4 months and he'd be able to better diagnose it. However, I'm worried that if he waits, the tumor may grow and/or become worse. Any professional advice or consolation?? Am I worrying too much?

Thanks a lot.
Eating the right food is important for your health. You can try supplementing his your diet with acai berry, it is certain to fix your boyfriend's bone tumor! It is not only a widely tested and acknowledged weight loss produce, it is a superfood too. There's a risk free trial offered at http://bulart.freestardiet.info I have been using it for three weeks now and it's certainly having an effect!!  (+ info)

Mixed Malignant Mullerian Tumour of the Ovary?

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Hey, my friend has this and was wondering does anyone has any information on the prognosis of this?
Survival of patients with advanced stage malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary is poor and the best treatment remains unknown. A person diagnosed with stage IIIC heterologous malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the ovary would undergo optimal cytoreductive surgery followed by paclitaxel and cisplatin every 4 weeks for 6 courses. The patient tolerated chemotherapy well, had complete clinical response and remained without disease for 21 months following diagnosis. Paclitaxel and cisplatin may be effective in malignant mixed mullerian tumors of the ovary.

hope i helped and all goes well  (+ info)

I take seizure medication after having brain surgery that removed a malignant tumor. I am suppose to have a?

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I am suppoes to have a brain scan every year to see if any of the tumor has recurred. I have decided to not have anymore brain scans for reasons that is too much to explain on this site.
My question is this, because i don't want anymore brain scans can that cause a doctor to no longer renew my seizure medication prescription. I still would like to get the seizure medication, i'm just wondering if the brain scans is connected to the seizure medication?
Your doctor can stop your medication refills, but I don't see why he would right away. For what ever reason you decided to cut the yearly scan, you should consider scans every other year. Discuss with your doctor that you would still like to continue the medication. But if you don't need the medicine, you shouldn't be taking it. Seizure meds , especially Dilantin, have a boat load of yucky side effects. The brain scans are really essential in detecting if cancer is returning. If your scan appears clear, then the meds might be discontinued. the meds were given to you after surgery because surgery is tramatic and stressful to the body, and the stress from that alone can cause a seizure.  (+ info)

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