Symptoms of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors produce a variety of symptoms, ranging from headache to stroke. They are great mimics of other neurologic disorders. Symptoms occur if the tumor directly damages the nerves in the brain or central nervous system or if its growth imposes pressure on the brain. Some gliomas develop gradually, and symptoms may be subtle for a long time, making an early diagnosis difficult.

Headache

Headache is probably the most common symptom of a brain tumor. It should be strongly emphasized, however, that everyone has headaches, and they rarely represent an underlying brain tumor. Headaches caused by brain tumors may vary depending on the location, and many different features.

  • Steady and worse upon waking in the morning and clears up within a few hours
  • Persistent non-migraine headache that occurs while sleeping and is also accompanied by at least one other symptom (such as vomiting or confusion)
  • May or may not be throbbing, depending on location of the tumor
  • Accompanied by double vision, weakness, or numbness
  • May worsen with coughing or exercise or with a change in body position
  • Sometimes accompanied by neck pain

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, are also common. Nausea and vomiting, in fact, often occur in children with brain tumors and in all people with brain stem cell tumors.

Seizures

Seizures occur in between 15 - 95% of patients, depending on the location of the tumor.

  • Tumors are more likely to be localized and affect one area of the brain. In such cases they can cause partial seizures. In this case, a person does not lose consciousness but may experience confusion, jerking movements, tingling, or odd mental and emotional events.
  • Generalized seizures, which can cause loss of consciousness, are less common, since they are caused by disturbances of nerve cells in diffuse areas of the brain.

Mental Changes

Sometimes the only symptoms are mental changes, which may include the following:

  • Memory loss
  • Impaired concentration
  • Problems with speech and reasoning
  • Increased sleep

Other Significant Symptoms

  • Gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg
  • Unsteadiness
  • Unexpected visual disturbance (especially if it is associated with headache), including vision loss (usually of peripheral vision) in one or both eyes or double vision
  • Hearing loss with or without dizziness
  • Speech difficulty

Symptoms Associated with Specific Tumors

Specific symptom syndromes may help identify the tumor. The following are some examples.

Symptoms of Brain Stem Gliomas. Sudden onset of symptoms that include vomiting (usually just after waking), a clumsy walk, muscle weakness on one side of the face, difficulty in swallowing, slurred or nasal speech, as well as impaired hearing or vision.

Symptoms of Glioblastoma Multiforme. Rapid onset and worsening of symptoms that include headaches, seizures, memory loss, and changes in behavior.

Life-Threatening Syndromes

The below symptoms indicate an emergency condition and require immediate medical attention:

  • Pupil dilation
  • A fixed gaze
  • Paralysis on one or both sides of the body
  • Blindness or defective vision in one eye