The gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm of leg, or difficulty with balance can occur. Weakness of facial muscles or difficulty controlling facial expressions, problems speaking or swallowing may also result. Numbness and loss of feeling in a part of the body or face is also something to keep an eye on.
Symptoms of a brain tumour
headaches. seizures (fits) persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness. mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality.
Brain tumor headaches cause intense pain that people may confuse with migraine or tension-type headaches. However, brain tumors cause other symptoms in addition to headaches, including: fatigue. weakness.
Poor sleep can be particularly bothersome, especially when patients with brain tumors also report hypersomnia. Hypersomnia was reported in more than 90% of primary brain-tumor patients undergoing cranial radiation therapy.
Most meningiomas do not spread.
This means that the tumor cells are not likely to spread to other parts of the body. That said, meningiomas can quietly grow for years without causing any problems — and they can get surprisingly large.
Some brain tumours such as pituitary gland, pineal region and germ cell tumours can change the levels of certain hormones and chemicals in your body. You may have blood tests to check for specific hormones and markers to help diagnose a brain tumour.
Magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI, uses strong magnets to create pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is often used to detect brain tumors because it shows the brain more clearly than do other imaging tests.
If the tumor is in the cerebellum (the lower, back part of the brain that controls coordination), a person might have trouble walking; trouble with precise movements of hands, arms, feet, and legs; problems swallowing or synchronizing eye movements; and changes in speech rhythm.
In fact, they can even spot brain tumours before there are any noticeable symptoms, making routine eye tests a good choice if possible. During an eye test, an optician can identify a brain tumour by either noticing a swelling of the optic disc or seeing pressure on the optic nerve.
Grade 1 brain cancer: The tumor grows slowly and rarely spreads into nearby tissues. It may be possible to completely remove the tumor with surgery. Grade 2 brain cancer: The tumor grows slowly but may spread into nearby tissues or recur.
Constipation is a common symptom and can be caused by a brain tumor, medications used to treat side effects, or treatment. Constipation may include the following symptoms: Less frequent bowel movements. Dry or hard stools.
Depression or behavioral changes. Cognitive changes, including trouble thinking or speaking. Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. Loss of balance or dizziness.
Meningioma. Meningioma is the most common primary brain tumor, accounting for more than 30% of all brain tumors. Meningiomas originate in the meninges, the outer three layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain just under the skull.
Symptoms of non-cancerous brain tumours
Common symptoms include: new, persistent headaches. seizures (epileptic fits) persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness.
For some, it's relatively mild but many others have described it as one of the most disruptive side-effects they experience. They feel it's a continuing, debilitating sense of weariness throughout the whole body. People often talk about cancer-related fatigue. It is quite widely known.
The patient will be especially sleepy, as drowsiness is the most common symptom of end-stage brain cancer, and will likely have trouble swallowing, so eating and drinking may be difficult. Other symptoms that are common for patients experiencing end-stage brain cancer include: Frequent headaches. Agitation and delirium.
Every patient's pain experience is unique, but headaches associated with brain tumors tend to be constant and are worse at night or in the early morning. They are often described as dull, "pressure-type" headaches, though some patients also experience sharp or "stabbing" pain.
Because this condition causes symptoms of elevated pressure in the head – which is also seen with large brain tumors – but have normal scans, the condition has been called pseudotumor cerebri, meaning “false brain tumor”. Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms include headache and blurred vision, which can increase over time.
A number of sleep or health disorders, as well as personal habits, can trigger a headache when you wake up. Sleep apnea, migraine, and lack of sleep are common culprits. However, teeth grinding, alcohol use, and certain medications can also cause you to wake up with a headache.
A brain tumour can cause headaches, but it is unusual for this to be the only symptom. Headaches are usually dull and constant, and sometimes throbbing.