Brain scans that measure blood flow may help tell tumor types apart before surgery
Original title: Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) vascular and metabolic biomarkers for presurgical diagnosis of adult brain tumors across different acquisition parameters.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This was tested in people. That is the most reliable kind of research we share.
This was tested on scans from real patients, but it is not yet a standard test.
The short version
A special kind of brain scan may help doctors tell which type of tumor someone has before surgery.
What was studied. Researchers looked back at brain scans from 219 adults at one hospital. Each person had one of four common types of brain tumor. The team tested whether extra blood flow and oxygen measures from the scans could tell these tumor types apart.
What they found. Using many measures together worked better than the one measure doctors most often use. It worked well even when the scans were taken with different machine settings. The results also held up in a second group of 55 patients who were not used to build the method.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Someday, this way of reading scans could help doctors learn the tumor type sooner. That might help them plan surgery and care. It does not change anything you need to do today.
What it doesn't mean: This study looked back at old scans from one hospital. It is a new way to read scans, not a new treatment. It is not a cure. It is not yet part of everyday care, and it is not a test your doctor can order for you now.
Source: PubMed, September 6, 2026 · Read the original
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