The evaluation of a glioma begins with a medical history and physical examination.
Early in the course of the disease, someone with glioma may have no findings on physical examination. In others, physical findings may suggest the specific location of the tumor in the brain.
Physical findings in someone with glioma may include:
- Weakness on one side of the body:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty walking
- Double vision
- Difficulty with balance
- Difficulty speaking
- Facial drooping
- Loss of coordination
- Memory loss
- Vision problems
The diagnosis of glioma must be confirmed with testing.
Tests that may be used to evaluate glioma include:
- CT scanning of the brain
- MRI scan of the brain
- SPECT scanning of the brain:
- A newer method that may provide earlier detection of stroke in some cases
- PET scanning of the brain:
- Detects levels of brain activity
- Coagulation profile
- Blood electrolytes and glucose
- Pulse oximetry
- Brain biopsy
For more information:
Continue to Glioma Treatment
- Laperriere N, Zuraw L, Cairncross G; Cancer Care Ontario Practice Guidelines Initiative Neuro-Oncology Disease Site Group. Radiotherapy for newly diagnosed malignant glioma in adults: a systematic review. Radiother Oncol. 2002 Sep;64(3):259-73. 
- Salvati M, Caroli E, Orlando ER, Frati A, Artizzu S, Ferrante L. Multicentric glioma: our experience in 25 patients and critical review of the literature. Neurosurg Rev. 2003 Oct;26(4):275-9. 
- Stewart LA. Chemotherapy in adult high-grade glioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data from 12 randomised trials. Lancet. 2002 Mar 23;359(9311):1011-8.