Worried about having a tumor

Just wondering what test is best for locating a brain tumor? I've been living with a headache for four months. Always the same spot above my left ear. I also get very nauseous with vertigo and the left side of my face keeps going numb. My doctor sent me for an MRA yesterday looking for an anyerism because I have a history of clots, but everything came back fine. Would a tumor show up on an MRA or should I get a MRI. I'm now being sent to a neurologist. 

Thanks for any feedback.

Usually a brain tumor is detected via a CT scan, followed by an MRI if something suspicious is seen on the CT scan. I don't know that a tumor would necessarily show up on an MRA. However, I don't know; I'm not a doctor. It's good you're getting it looked at. Be sure to mention that you are concerned about a possible brain tumor, and ask the neurologist for a straight answer: Does s/he think you should have a CT scan, yes or no? That way hopefully you won't get a lot of chin-stroking and "Hm, hm" which is how neurologists wasted our time for two months pre-diagnosis. All that being said, it's statistically more likely your headaches are caused by something else.

My understanding is that an MRA is used to view blood vessel structure and detail.  It's not clear to me that it would adequately find a tumor.

If you are going to a neurologist I suspect you'll end up with an MRI soon enough.  While not ruling out anything in particular, it might appear by your symptom description that the most serious brain cancer, GBM, may not be an issue here.  GBM'rs suffer debilitating headaches (migraine level) at about 2-3 months, confusion, serious fatigue, and often times seizures.

Let's hope your headaches and vertigo are caused by some inner ear problem and not a brain tumor.

 

Go to a doctor. They wil refer you to a CT, MRI, or MRI with cintrast. I waited almost too long. Had horrible seizures and was told I was about to die. I knew something was wrong and did nothing for months.

Unfortunately, the only neurologist in our area is booked full until Jan 23rd. Hopefully I will be ok to wait that long. I just want the head pain to go away.

If it becomes severe and/or you're really worried, go to the ER of a large teaching hospital. That's what I did with my sister after the second neurologist blew us off. I had to drive a long way, but it was worth it.

was just wondering if you ever got into a neurologist and found out what they think the pain is and if you got an MRI.

In my case with fatigue and one thumb ocassionally trembling for about 2- 3 min-around once every month-for about a year, mild headaches that dissappear after sleeping. Once my headache didn't stop,and vomiting several times, 3 ER visits with clueless doctors- a worthless= neurologists words- head xray. it was an MRI that trigger my surgery for a tumor that after biopsy showed it was GBM grade IV.At the beginning even with the MRI images I was given several  -4 options- about what it could be...