Presentation and Evaluation of Adult CNS Tumors

The clinical presentation of brain tumors can be diverse. Clinical presentation is not specifically linked to the specific tumor type. Symptoms rather depend upon the location of the tumor and may range from headache and vomiting to seizures and loss of cognitive function. MRI is the gold standard in diagnosing brain tumors. Functional imaging allows radiation necrosis to be distinguished from the tumor, which is often difficult with CT or MRI. The radio-labeled amino acids commonly used in clinical studies, like methyl-11CL-methionine (MET), 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine (FDOPA), and 18F-fluoroethyltyrosine (FET), have specific indications.