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Headaches
Headaches are a common initial symptom. Typical "brain tumor headaches" are often described as worse in the morning, with improvement gradually during the day. They may rouse the person from sleep. Sometimes, upon awakening, the person vomits then feels better. These headaches may worsen with coughing, exercise, or with a change in position such as bending or kneeling. They also do not typically respond to the usual headache remedies.
There are many causes, and types, of headaches. If you are experiencing headaches, we encourage to talk to your doctor. He or she is best able to listen to your concerns, outline your medical and headache history, and determine the next "best step" in your care. Don't know where to start? A visit to your family physician, internist, or primary care provider is a good beginning. If you need or wish specialty care, "neurologists" are doctors trained in the workings of the brain, spine, and nerves. If specialty care is your preference, your family doctor can help you locate a neurologist who specializes in headaches.
To help your doctor better understand your symptoms, prepare for your visit in advance. Keeping a "headache journal"- when they occur, how severe they are, other symptoms that happen at the same time, and the type of remedies you try in an attempt to relieve your symptoms - will provide the doctor with a good overview of the nature of your headaches. Tell your doctor about any changes in your vision, nausea or vomiting, and the severity of those symptoms. After learning your concerns and asking specific questions about your symptoms, your doctor will determine the next step in finding the cause of your headaches.
Seizures
About one-third of people diagnosed with a brain tumor are not aware they have a tumor until they have a seizure. Seizures are a common symptom of a brain tumor. Seizures are caused by a disruption in the normal flow of electricity in the brain. Those sudden bursts of electricity may cause convulsions, unusual sensations, and loss of consciousness. Focal seizures -- such as muscle twitching or jerking of an arm or leg, abnormal smells or tastes, problems with speech or numbness and tingling -- may also occur.
Mental and/or Personality Changes
These can range from problems with memory (especially short-term memory), speech, communication and/or concentration changes to severe intellectual problems and confusion. Changes in behavior, temperament and personality may also occur, depending where the tumor is located. These changes can be caused by the tumor itself, by increased pressure within the skull caused by the presence of the tumor, or by involvement of the parts of the brain that control personality.
Mass effect
Mass effect is due to increased intracranial pressure, also called IICP. This increased pressure in the brain may be caused by a tumor growing within the tight confines of the skull, or by hydrocephalus - the blockage of the fluid that flows around and through the brain, and/or by edema - swelling of the brain around the tumor due to an accumulation of fluid. Mass effect can cause damage by compressing and displacing the delicate brain tissue. The symptoms caused by IICP include nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems such as blurred or double vision or loss of peripheral vision, and the headaches and mental changes already mentioned. A swollen optic nerve (papilledema) is a clear sign of IICP. It can be observed by your eye doctor when he examines your eyes. This sign is common in young children, in persons with slow growing tumors, with tumors in the posterior fossa, and in older patients.
As IICP increases, prompt treatment is required to avoid serious consequences. If you or your loved one is experiencing vision changes, severe/sudden-onset personality changes, vomiting, or severe head pains, please seek emergency medical assistance. This web site, and/or the ABTA staff, do not provide medical advice.
Focal, or Localized, Symptoms
In addition to the common, but non-specific symptoms listed above, other more specific symptoms frequently occur. These "focal symptoms" can help identify the location of the tumor. Focal symptoms include: hearing problems such as ringing or buzzing sounds or hearing loss, decreased muscle control, lack of coordination, decreased sensation, weakness or paralysis, difficulty with walking or speech, balance problems, or double vision.
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