Brain Tumor Assessment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a brain tumour assessment?
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells inside the skull. Some are benign and slow-growing, such as a meningioma arising from the brain's lining; others start within the brain tissue itself, and some spread to the brain from a cancer elsewhere in the body. Symptoms depend far more on where a growth sits than on its size, which is why two people with similar scans can feel very different.
The assessment brings three things together: a careful history and neurological examination, brain imaging, and a plan for what comes next. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the neurologist leads this first stage in the Neuroscience department, requests imaging through radiology, and manages symptoms such as seizures while the wider team is brought in. Surgery is planned by the neurosurgeon in the Neurosurgery department, and radiotherapy or chemotherapy is arranged by referral to a specialist oncology centre.
Who needs it
Most headaches have a harmless cause. An assessment is worth arranging when a symptom is new, persistent and changing, particularly:
- A headache pattern that is new for you, worse on waking, or worse on coughing, bending or straining
- A first seizure in an adult, or a change in the pattern of known seizures
- Gradual weakness, numbness or clumsiness on one side of the body
- Changes in personality, behaviour, memory or judgement noticed by family or colleagues
- Difficulty finding words, blurred or double vision, or loss of part of the visual field
- A brain lesion found by chance on a scan done for another reason
A useful clue that patients rarely guess: slowly growing tumours often show up first as a quiet change in personality or organisation at work, noticed by a spouse or manager long before any headache.
Many people arrive with a scan already done, sometimes abroad or at another UAE centre. Bring the images on disc or as a download link together with the written report, because the neurologist and radiologist compare the pictures directly.
What happens
The first appointment focuses on your story. The neurologist asks when each symptom began, how it has changed and what a family member has noticed. A full neurological examination follows, checking vision, eye movements, facial strength, power, sensation, reflexes, coordination and walking. Looking at the back of the eye can show raised pressure inside the skull.
If the picture suggests a structural cause, MRI with contrast is the main test, as it shows the brain in fine detail. CT is quicker and is often used first when symptoms are sudden or MRI is unsuitable. The brain and spine imaging page explains how radiologists choose between them. Blood tests check kidney function before contrast and look for general health problems.
Where a growth is confirmed, the neurologist explains the findings in plain language and arranges referral to the neurosurgeon, who decides whether a biopsy or operation is the right next step. Only tissue examined under the microscope gives the exact tumour type.
Seizure control starts straight away when seizures have occurred. The neurologist prescribes medicine to prevent further seizures and may arrange an EEG to guide it. Steroid medicine to reduce swelling around a tumour is sometimes started too, under close supervision.
Preparing for it
- Write a timeline of symptoms, with dates, and bring a relative who has noticed changes
- Bring any previous scans with their reports, in any language
- List all your medicines, including supplements and blood thinners
- Tell the team about metal implants, a pacemaker, pregnancy or kidney problems before MRI
- If you feel anxious in enclosed spaces, mention it early so the radiology team can support you
Families living abroad often want to join the discussion. Ask whether a relative can join by phone, and keep copies of every report to share with family doctors at home.
Afterwards
You leave with a clear next step: reassurance and a plan for your symptoms, follow-up imaging to watch a small stable finding, or a referral letter for neurosurgery and, where needed, oncology. The neurologist continues to look after seizures, headaches and other neurological symptoms throughout treatment elsewhere.
Anyone with seizures should follow UAE licensing guidance on driving and ask the neurologist before getting behind the wheel. Heat, dehydration and missed sleep can lower the seizure threshold, so drink plenty of fluid in summer. During Ramadan, discuss medicine timing before fasting begins so doses fit around suhoor and iftar.
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department for a seizure lasting more than five minutes, repeated seizures, sudden severe headache, new confusion, or drowsiness that is hard to wake from. For worsening headache, new vomiting or new weakness that develops over days, call 06 599 7777 for an earlier review.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover neurology consultation and follow-up. MRI and CT usually need insurance pre-approval, and treatment with neurosurgery or oncology is approved separately. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks and limits of a brain tumour assessment?
The assessment itself carries very small risks, mainly a rare reaction to MRI or CT contrast dye, which the radiology team screens for beforehand. Its main limit is that a scan shows the shape and position of a growth but cannot confirm its exact type; that needs a tissue sample taken by a neurosurgeon. Some small findings also need repeat scans over time before their nature is clear.
Is brain tumour treatment provided at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Dar Al Kamal Hospital provides the neurologist's assessment, brain imaging through radiology, seizure and symptom management, and surgical assessment by the neurosurgeon in the Neurosurgery department. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not provided at the hospital and are arranged by referral to a specialist oncology centre, with the neurologist continuing to manage neurological symptoms.
Are my headaches a sign of a brain tumour?
Headaches are very rarely caused by a brain tumour, and most are migraine or tension-type headache. Warning features are a new headache pattern that steadily worsens, headache worse on waking or when straining, or headache with seizures, weakness, vision change or confusion. These features deserve a neurologist's review.
Does a first seizure mean I have a brain tumour?
A first seizure in an adult has many possible causes, and a brain tumour is only one of them. Other causes include low blood sugar, salt imbalance, sleep deprivation, alcohol withdrawal and epilepsy. Brain imaging is part of the standard assessment of an adult first seizure so that a structural cause is found or excluded.
Do I need an MRI or will a CT scan do?
MRI with contrast is the preferred test for looking for a brain tumour because it shows soft tissue in much finer detail than CT. CT is useful first when symptoms come on suddenly or when MRI is unsuitable, for example with some pacemakers. Your neurologist and the radiologist decide which scan answers the question.
Are all brain tumours cancer?
Not all brain tumours are cancer; many, such as meningiomas, are benign and grow slowly. Benign tumours can still cause symptoms by pressing on nearby brain tissue, so they may need surgery or regular monitoring. The exact type is confirmed by examining tissue under a microscope.
Can I get a second opinion on a brain scan done elsewhere?
A second opinion on an existing brain scan is available by bringing the images and the written report to a neurology appointment. The neurologist reviews your symptoms and examination alongside the scan, and a radiologist can re-read the images. Bring the images on disc or as a download link, as a report alone is less useful.
Is a brain tumour assessment covered by insurance?
Neurology consultations are covered by most UAE insurance plans, while MRI and CT usually need pre-approval from your insurer. Treatment by neurosurgery or oncology is approved separately. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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