Headaches, seizures and weakness throughout the body can all be potential brain tumor symptoms.
Common symptoms of brain tumours include headaches, feeling or being sick and seizures (fits). These symptoms and the others listed below are often caused by other medical conditions. But if you have any of them, it's important to see your doctor.
Persistent lumps or swelling in any part of your body should be taken seriously. This includes any lumps in the neck, armpit, stomach, groin, chest, breast, or testicle.
Diagnosing brain tumors. We sometimes find brain tumors when otherwise healthy people suddenly have a seizure, unusual weakness or speech problems. If you have these symptoms, go to an emergency room. If ER doctors suspect a brain tumor, they may send you to us for a full evaluation.
Headaches are the most common symptom of brain tumors. Headaches happen in about half of people with brain tumors. Headaches can happen if a growing brain tumor presses on healthy cells around it. Or a brain tumor can cause swelling in the brain that increases pressure in the head and leads to a headache.
Eye problems can also occur when a brain tumor exerts pressure on the optic nerve or when pressure within the skull causes the back of the eye (optic disc) to swell (a condition known as “papilledema”).
Brain tumour symptoms can include changes in vision, like blurred or double vision, abnormal eye movements, restricted field of view and more.
In general, diagnosing a brain tumor usually begins with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Once MRI shows that there is a tumor in the brain, the most common way to determine the type of brain tumor is to look at the results from a sample of tissue after a biopsy or surgery.
The survival rates for a brain tumor vary based on several factors. These include the grade and prognostic factors of a tumor, a person's age and general health, and how well the treatment plan works. Another factor that can affect outcomes is the type of brain or spinal cord tumor (see Introduction).
While a brain tumor isn't likely to be a direct cause of dizziness, some tumors can trigger headaches and bouts of nausea and vomiting that may be associated with a dizzy feeling. This is especially true if an individual experiences frequent vomiting and becomes dehydrated.
They are often described as dull, "pressure-type" headaches, though some patients also experience sharp or "stabbing" pain. They can be localized to a specific area or generalized. They can be made worse with coughing, sneezing or straining.
Many brain tumor patients also describe “a creeping effect,” Peters says, with numbness or tingling starting in their hands and then progressing to their arm and then their shoulder. Because the tingling is temporary and subtle, some patients don't report it to their medical provider.
“The symptoms of brain tumors can be either dramatic or subtle,” Gilbert says. A seizure is an example of a dramatic symptom. About 3 of every 10 patients with a brain tumor are diagnosed after having a seizure, he explains. Other symptoms are less obvious.
Hearing and vision loss- A tumor that is located near the optical nerve could cause blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision. Depending on the size and location of a tumor, abnormal eye movements and other vision changes like seeing floating spots or shapes knows as an “aura” may result.
Brain tumours can, unfortunately, cause vision problems. This can be because of the tumour itself or its treatments. And, around 1 in 3 people affected by a brain tumour report a problem with their vision.
Tests to diagnose brain tumours
You usually have scans to look at your brain. These might include an MRI scam, CT scan or PET-CT scan. Your doctor might also arrange some other tests.
A brain tumor in the temporal lobe, occipital lobe or brain stem can cause vision changes, the most common of which is blurred or double vision. Eye twitching is another clear indicator that a brain tumor might be present.
back or neck pain that may extend to the arms or legs, be dull, sharp or burning or be worse at night. weakness. numbness. lack of coordination that is usually on both sides of the body.
The brain plays an important role in feeling sensations throughout the body. So brain tumors can cause numbness and tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs and feet.
Changes in mental function, mood or personality.
You may feel drowsy, confused and unable to think. Depression and anxiety, especially if either develops suddenly, may be an early symptom of a brain tumor. You may become uninhibited or behave in ways you never have before.
You should see your doctor if you notice a change that isn't normal for you. Or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer. Even if you're worried about what the symptom might be, don't delay seeing them.