Warning Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Tumor
Brain tumors that begin in the brain are called primary brain tumors, and they may or may not be cancerous 1. Other brain tumors arise when cancer from another location in the body spreads, or metastasizes, to the brain 4. These metastatic brain tumors are 4 to 5 times more common than primary brain tumors. Several factors affect the signs and symptoms of brain tumors, including tumor size and the location within the brain. Symptoms can be as subtle as a persistent, dull headache or as striking as weakness on one side of a body.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Headache
Headaches often occur with a brain tumor. Tumors-related headaches are often dull and constant. Throbbing headaches occur less commonly. The headaches are typically most painful in the morning and improve during the day. Headaches due to brain tumors typically are not severe, but may become so over time. The pain may intensify with activities such as bending over, coughing or sneezing. Many people experience headaches and most headaches are not caused by brain tumors. However, if you notice a significant change in your headache pattern or symptoms over time, see your doctor.
- Headaches often occur with a brain tumor.
- Many people experience headaches and most headaches are not caused by brain tumors.
Personality and Mental Changes
How to Recognize Symptoms of a Brain Tumor
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Personality changes, mood swings and a decline in intellectual functioning can occur with a brain tumor. These changes may be subtle or dramatic, ranging from slowing of mental activity to hallucinations. Some brain tumors have the potential to cause memory problems. Some brain tumors cause symptoms that mimic depression, such as decreased energy, sleeping more than usual and loss of interest in everyday activities.
- Personality changes, mood swings and a decline in intellectual functioning can occur with a brain tumor.
- These changes may be subtle or dramatic, ranging from slowing of mental activity to hallucinations.
Seizures
Many people with a brain tumor experience a seizure at some point during the course of the disease 6. Seizures can be mild or severe. The seizure may cause spasms in an arm or leg, or affect the entire body with generalized shaking and passing out. The type of seizure is a reflection of the tumor location within the brain. A first-time seizure in an adult with no obvious cause -- such as a head injury -- typically leads to testing to check for the possibility of a brain tumor.
- Many people with a brain tumor experience a seizure at some point during the course of the disease 6.
- The seizure may cause spasms in an arm or leg, or affect the entire body with generalized shaking and passing out.
Nausea and Vomiting
Subtle Symptoms of a Brain Tumor
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Nausea and vomiting may occur with a brain tumor, due to increased pressure within the brain. Nausea or vomiting triggered by an abrupt change in position, such as quickly turning over in bed, suggests the possibility of a brain tumor. Vomiting may occur without nausea. Although most nausea and vomiting is unrelated to a brain tumor, when it is accompanied by other potential symptoms of a brain tumor -- such as headache or newly-diagnosed seizures -- it's considered more suspicious.
- Nausea and vomiting may occur with a brain tumor, due to increased pressure within the brain.
Stroke-like Symptoms
Stroke-like symptoms can occur if a brain tumor disrupts normal functions through tissue destruction or pressure on a specific part of the brain. The symptoms experienced relate to what part of the brain is affected. For example, numbness or weakness of an arm, leg or one side of the face may occur, and often worsen over time as the tumor grows. Vision and speech problems, such as slurred speech, are other examples of brain tumor symptoms that mimic a stroke.
- Stroke-like symptoms can occur if a brain tumor disrupts normal functions through tissue destruction or pressure on a specific part of the brain.
- For example, numbness or weakness of an arm, leg or one side of the face may occur, and often worsen over time as the tumor grows.
Related Articles
References
- UpToDate.com: Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis of Brain Tumors
- Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2014: Maxine A. Papadakis, M.D. et al
- Journal of Neuro-Oncology: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Parameter Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Brain Tumors: Introduction
- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know About Brain Tumors
- UpToDate.com: Evaluation of Headache in Adults
- Intechopen.com: Brain Tumor and Seizures: Incidence, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Brain and Spinal Tumors in Children. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-children.html
- National Cancer Institute. Childhood Brain and Spinal Tumors Treatment Overview (PDQ). December 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26389351
- Kernick DP, Ahmed F, Bahra A, et al. Imaging patients with suspected brain tumour: guidance for primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2008;58(557):880-5. doi:10.3399/bjgp08X376203
- Armstrong TS, Vera-bolanos E, Acquaye AA, Gilbert MR, Ladha H, Mendoza T. The symptom burden of primary brain tumors: evidence for a core set of tumor- and treatment-related symptoms. Neuro-oncology. 2016;18(2):252-60. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nov166
- Madhusoodanan S, Ting MB, Farah T, Ugur U. Psychiatric aspects of brain tumors: A review. World J Psychiatry. 2015;5(3):273-85. doi:10.5498/wjp.v5.i3.273
- Lanphear J, Sarnaik S. Presenting symptoms of pediatric brain tumors diagnosed in the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014;30(2):77-80. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000000074
- Esquenazi Y, Lo VP, Lee K. Critical Care Management of Cerebral Edema in Brain Tumors. J Intensive Care Med. 2017;32(1):15-24. doi:10.1177/0885066615619618
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors.
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Brain and Spinal Tumors in Children.
- National Cancer Institute. Childhood Brain and Spinal Tumors Treatment Overview (PDQ). December 2016.
- Ropper. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, 10e. N.p.: McGraw-Hill, 2014. Print.
Writer Bio
Dr. Ann M. Hester is a board-certified internal medicine specialist and author. She is also the creator of the Patient Whiz patient engagement app for iOS and Total en Salud health app in Spanish.