A lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extracted from the spinal canal for diagnostic purposes. This fluid can be analyzed for various conditions, including infections such as meningitis, bleeding around the brain or spinal cord, and certain types of cancer. While a lumbar puncture can be used to detect some forms of cancer, particularly those that affect the central nervous system like brain cancer or spinal cancer, and sometimes in cases of leukemia where cancer cells can infiltrate the CSF, it is not a definitive test for all types of cancer. The presence of cancer cells in the CSF, a condition known as neoplastic meningitis, is indicative of cancer spread to the central nervous system. However, a negative result does not necessarily rule out cancer, and other diagnostic methods are typically required for a comprehensive cancer evaluation. read more >>

A lumbar puncture is performed to collect and test the cerebrospinal fluid for diseases, infections and conditions that affect the central nervous system, including: Meningitis. Cancer (e.g., brain cancer, spinal cancer, leukemia) Bleeding around the brain or spinal cord.read more >>