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Last reviewed: 16 Mar 2025
Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • headache
  • neurologic deficit
  • seizure
  • history of radiation exposure

Other diagnostic factors

  • family history of brain tumor or neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2)
  • history of breast cancer
  • history of exogenous hormone exposure
  • cognitive deficit
  • vertigo/dizziness

Risk factors

  • ionizing radiation
  • genetic predisposition
  • hormones: endogenous and exogenous
  • head trauma

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • MRI brain or spine with and without contrast

Tests to consider

  • CT brain or spine
  • somatostatin receptor PET/CT
  • cerebral angiography
  • histopathology of surgical resection

Treatment algorithm

Contributors

Authors

Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute

Robert Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Department of Neurological Surgery

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Chicago

IL

Disclosures

STM has authored several articles cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr Stephen T. Magill would like to gratefully acknowledge Professor William T. Couldwell and Dr Jayson A. Neil, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

WTC is an author of several references cited in this topic. JAN declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Marc Chamberlain, MD

Professor of Neurology

Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

University of Washington

Seattle

WA

Disclosures

MC is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Ian McCutcheon, MD

Professor of Neurosurgery

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Houston

TX

Disclosures

IM declares that he has no competing interests.

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