Symptoms of Brain Tumour or Brain Cancer

There are many symptoms of brain tumour or brain cancer. These are typically influenced by which region of the brain is affected and the functional system it affects (e.g., sensory, language, motor, etc.). Usually, the specific neurological effects of brain cancer may be associated with the brain tumour’s location or with compression of a certain area of the brain. For instance, a brain tumour near the optic nerve may result in visual problems. Brain tumours in the brain’s frontal part may affect the ability to think and concentrate. Any considerably large brain tumour may cause several symptoms because of the pressure produced by the mass. Swelling in the brain caused by the brain tumour or surrounding inflammation may also result in specific symptoms.

But symptoms of brain cancer may not always match up to the tumour location—a brain tumour may cause more compression elsewhere, and the symptoms may correspond to the region of compression, not the area of the cancer.

Some symptoms may also be caused by other diseases. The only way to tell for sure what is causing your symptoms is to get tested. Brain cancer may develop gradually, without any noticeable signs or with minimal symptoms, but it may also suddenly cause severe, rapidly deteriorating effects.

Common Symptoms of Brain Tumour or Cancer May Include:

• A headache that changes dependent on the time of day and position of the head and gets worse over time
• Seizures
• Difficulty walking
• Numbness in part of the body
• Nausea or vomiting
• Memory loss
• Muscle weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Vision problems
• Mood or personality changes
• Unexplained tiredness
• Gradual changes in intellectual capacity or emotional response

If you have any of the above, you should seek prompt medical attention (e.g. at a hospital) and followup. You may be referred to a neurosurgeon for a neurological assessment, and also imaging studies such as an MRI of the brain.