I'm wondering what would be the most accurate, cheapest test to rule out brain cancer. The three I know of are PET,CAT, and MRI. With MRI being the most expensive I believe. Would a contrast agent be necessary to show possible tumors.3 yrs ago I was feeling great until one night a lymph node in my neck swelled up pretty big. I had a lot of bloodwork and fecal occult and urinalysis done at a county health clinic. I've had an EKG,echocardiogram,lung xrays and a CAT of my neck with contrast. The CAT discovered "several slightly inlarged lymph nodes" and the lung x-ray found small peripheral blebs on my right lung apex (I read up on this and understand it pretty well). My symptoms could indicate tumor. I get very lightheaded, weak, confused (can't find simple words in my head), and I get blurry vision slightly. Also my eyes have been horribly bloodshot this whole time. Marijuana intensified the feelings, so I quit almost 3 yrs ago. I'm 30, tall and skinny, and smoke for 16 yrs.WorriedMother, I truly feel for you and wish your mom the best. Hi Marya, thank you for putting my brain at rest a bit. Noone even suggested a Fine Needle Aspiration and I wasn't aware of the test at that point. I thought that a foreign cancer could cause lymph node flare ups if metastisised and moved through the lymph system. Given my history of tons of inhaled smoke, I thought that maybe the "blebs" on my lung xray could be small tumors and they spread through the lymph.I was really hoping that my GP could order a usefull test and I could avoid extra costs to specialists. I assume that the same techs would evaluate my results either way. I'm may be medicaid eligible but I have a tough time dealing with the beurocracy when I'm feeling like this.Would a MRI w/contrast be most precise and would you have any idea of the how much an MRI or CAT of the brain would cost in the USA. I'm not sure what lvl of care you are involved in. Thank You very much for your caring and help.~MikeHi David,Thank you for your response, I feel for you and your child and I truly wish the best for your family. I just want all you good people who answer to know that I in no way mean to belittle your horrible truths with my speculation. I just want to be proactive and I've been ill for so long with no diagnosis.Interesting that you would suggest opthamologist as I do have some pain behind my right eye and intermittant blurriness. I'm going to have my eyes checked first and I've heard that raised intracranial pressure can be detected by eye exam.I have about 2 beers a month and have noticed that I actually feel pretty buzzed off just 1 beer, which is unusual for me.My headaches seem to actually get better when I lay down, not worse. But I've also read that tumors can cause a wide variety of symptoms depending on location. Many of the other symptoms apply but I know that alot of them can also be caused by stress or anxiety and many other conditions.ThanksMike

i am sorry to hear about your health problems, a doctor found a tumor on my mothers brain about a month ago she has alot of the symptoms you have hers was found from an mri 1 with contrast and 1 without its small now so she has to have scans and mri,s about every 6 months to make sure its not growing as far as i know from what they have told us thats the only test without getting invasive and doing a biopsy, they don't feel my mother needs any invasive techniques now i wish you the best and pray for you that it is not a tumor and that you will get better

This would be a very good question to put to a neurologist, after you have handed him or her all your test results.

Hi Mike,As the founder of the yahoo group Pediatric Brain Tumors, and a parent of a child who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in 1998, but with no formal medical training, in my humble opinion, the most common and most informative non-invasive test for a brain tumor is a cranial MRI with contrast. The test cost around US$1,500 in 1998 and 1999 at the University of Miami.The second test would be a cranial CAT scan with contrast, but am uncertain of the costs.Independantly, have you checked your eyes with an opthamologist for conjunctivitis or other eye infections?Have you consumed any alcoholic beverages presently after stopping marijuana usage?According to the Merck Manual of Medical Information 2nd Home edition page 458" Brain Tumor Headache Pain is mild to severe and becomes progressively worse. It usually recurs more and more often and eventually becomes constant without relief. Headaches are often worse when the person lies down and may awaken the person from sleep. A gradually growing tumor causes a headache that is worse when the person first awakens. The new development of such headaches requires medical attention."Page 521 " Brain tumors may produce a change in personality. For example, a person may become withdrawn, moody, and, often, inefficient at work. A person may feel drowsy, confused, and unable to think. Such symptom are often more apparent to family members and co-workers than to the person. Depression and anxiety, especially if either develops suddenly, may be an early symptom of a brain tumor. Bizarre behavior is unusual. Other common symptoms of a brain tumor include dixxiness, loss of balance, and incoordination. Later, as pressure within the skull increases, nausea, vomitting, lethargy, drowsiness, intermittent fever, and even coma may occur."It is important you see a Neurologist for the proper clinical tests. With kind and gentle regards,David EdgeFounder Pediatric Brain Tumors and PBT Angels































1) Merck Manual of Medical Infor