MRI clues may help tell two brain tumors apart
Original title: Tumor apparent diffusion coefficient combined with the lipid-to-creatine ratio for preoperative differentiation of primary central nervous system lymphoma from high-grade glioma: a single-center diagnostic model development and internal validation study.
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 looked back at old scans at one hospital, and it still needs testing elsewhere.
The short version
Two measures from an MRI scan helped doctors tell brain lymphoma from a fast-growing glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary.
What was studied. Researchers looked back at MRI scans from 83 patients at one hospital. 38 had brain lymphoma and 45 had a high-grade glioma: A tumor that starts in the glial cells, the support cells of the brain and spinal cord. Gliomas are given a grade from 1 to 4 describing how the tumor is expected to behave. See the glossary. All had their tumor type confirmed by a tissue test.
What they found. Two scan measures were different between the two tumor types. In lymphoma, water moved less freely inside the tumor. A fat signal from the tumor was also stronger. Using both measures together sorted the two tumors well. But it did not clearly beat using the fat signal by itself.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Scan clues might give doctors a better guess about the tumor type before surgery. That could help them plan what to do next. A tissue sample is still needed to know for sure.
What it doesn't mean: This is not a new treatment, and it is not a cure. It was one hospital looking back at old scans. The researchers say other hospitals must test it before anyone relies on it. They also say it should support expert doctors, not replace them or replace a tissue test.
Source: PubMed, September 15, 2026 · Read the original
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