A Special MRI Scan That May Tell Tumor Growth From Treatment Effects
Original title: Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Neuro-Oncology: A Narrative and Translational Review.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This looks across many earlier studies rather than running a new one.
This is a review of where the science stands, not a new result.
The short version
Doctors are studying an MRI scan that may show whether a new spot is tumor growth or damage from treatment.
What was studied. This is a review of past work, not a new study. The authors looked at a special MRI scan called DCE MRI. It measures how contrast dye: A liquid put into a vein before some scans. It makes certain tissues stand out, which helps show where a tumor is. It does not always show the whole of it. See the glossary leaks out of blood vessels in the brain.
What they found. After treatment, a regular MRI often cannot tell real tumor growth from swelling or tissue damage. These can look alike on a scan. The authors report that the dye scan may help tell them apart in gliomas, in cancer that spread to the brain, and in brain lymphoma. They also looked at computer tools that help read these scans.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: If this scan becomes common, it could help your care team tell tumor growth from a side effect of treatment. That answer can change what happens next in your care.
What it doesn't mean: This is a summary of where the science stands. It is not a new study, and it does not test a treatment. The authors say the scan is not ready for wide use. Clinics do it in different ways, and there is no agreed standard yet. More studies at many hospitals are needed first. It is not a cure and it does not treat a tumor.
Source: PubMed, September 19, 2026 · Read the original
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