What are the symptoms of brain tumour?

Question

I am experiencing headaches almost once a week. It hurts. And daily,I will feel a pain at any spot on my head. So,Just tell me what the symptoms are. Or maybe some other illnesses I may be suffering from. thnx.

Answer 1

The most common signs and symptoms
In the early stages, brain tumours most commonly cause headaches and feeling sick (nausea). These symptoms are usually caused by a rise in the pressure within the brain as the tumour grows. The rise in pressure is called raised intracranial pressure (ICP).

Of course, many other things can cause headaches or feelings of sickness, but if you have either of these for over a week with no sign of getting better, it is important to see your doctor.

A pressure headache may be most severe in the mornings, and can occasionally wake you. Usually this type of headache gets better during the day. However, it may get worse when you cough, sneeze, bend down or do any hard physical work. All of these tend to raise pressure in the brain.

If the raised pressure makes you sick, this may also be worse in the morning and can lessen during the day. You may be sick if you have hiccups.

As well as the symptoms described above, raised intracranial pressure can also cause changes in your sight and make you confused or affect your balance.

Another common symptom caused by brain tumours is epilepsy, which can cause fits, muscle spasms, or moments of unconsciousness. A fit is a frightening experience, but is not necessarily caused by a brain tumour. However, it is important to seek medical help so that the actual cause can be diagnosed and suitably treated.



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Symptoms connected with the tumour's position
Some symptoms may be caused by tumours in particular areas of the brain. In general, each area of the brain controls particular functions, and a tumour may prevent a particular area of the brain from working normally.

Some of these symptoms are listed below, grouped under the different parts of the brain. They are included only as a guide. Exact diagnosis can only be made by a doctor and confirmed by tests.

The diagram showing the lobes and functions of the brain shows the different functions of each area of the brain.

Frontal lobe tumours - Changes in personality and intellect. Unco-ordinated walking or weakness of one side of the body. Loss of smell, occasional speech difficulties.
Parietal lobe - Difficulty in speaking or understanding words. Problems with writing or reading. Difficulty in co-ordinating certain movements. Difficulty finding your way around. Difficulty with numbers (doing simple calculations). Numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
Occipital lobe - Loss of vision on one side. The person may not notice this at first and it may sometimes be discovered during routine eye tests.
Temporal lobe - Fits may cause strange sensations: a feeling of fear or intense familiarity (dé jà vu), strange smells or blackouts. Speech difficulties and memory problems.
Cerebellum - Lack of co-ordination which affects walking and speech (dysarthria), unsteadiness, flickering involuntary movement of the eyes (nystagmus). Vomiting and neck stiffness.
Brain stem - Unsteadiness and an unco-ordinated walk. Facial weakness, a one-sided smile or drooping eyelid. Double vision. Rarely, vomiting or headache just after waking; difficulty in speaking and swallowing. Symptoms may appear gradually.
All the above symptoms may be caused by conditions other than a brain tumour. If you have any of the symptoms described it is important that you go and see your family doctor (GP).

Answer 2

Generally, the largest symptom of a brain tumor, is a constant headache, due usuallyto pressure building up in the brain. A brain tumor can cause so many different thigns from people bending over backwards literally after banging their knee, to having a seizure. The most general symptom though, is a constant headache that NEVER goes away. and I mean never.

Answer 3

I've had 2 removed from my left temporal lobe 7 years ago so I've had quite a bit of experience with them and the after affect. I'm sending a site but if you would like more information do not hesitate sending a message and I'll be more then happy to email you. I am and always will be under medical care so I get to stay up on this stuff even when I don't want to!

Have a great day!

Answer 4

My husband died with a benign brain tumor (non-malignant) but it acted basically the same as a cancerous one and was non-operable, s/s to begin with were mental confusion,forgetfulness, fatigue, judgement issues, then he began to falter with abilites such as balance, driving became dangerous, incontinence of both bladder and bowel, things just basically started to shut down, was not able to walk in the end and finally his heart gave out. It depends a lot on where the tumor is as to what it affects the most and quickest. He was never in a lot of pain which was a blessing, we tried chemo, that I would not do again in his case as it only delayed the end, did not prevent it, but everyone is different and the neurologist would know best.

Answer 5

If you are worried you really need to go to your doctor and then if it doesn't get better see a neurologist. Just because you have headaches not mean brain tumor. Don't freak out stress can make your head hurt worse. The likely hood of you having a brain tumor is very low. I work in radiology and we scan patients all day long with headaches and it is very, very, very rarely a brain tumor. As a matter of fact I can not think of one in the last 6 years. You do need to see your doctor. It will ease your mind and they can perscribe you something stronger than over the counter meds. Plus they have all the years of medical knowledge that this forum can not give you! Good Luck and try not to worry!

Answer 6

you sound like your quite an anxious person so i think you ve got tension headaches and the more youve been worrying about brain tumoours has made the headaches worst just try and relax take some pain killers bput go see your doctor and he can reasure you im sure the headaches will go then best of luck anyway x

Answer 7

There are loads of things that can cause headaches. Rather than freak yourself out, see a doctor. Only they can diagnose brain tumours.

Answer 8

It depends, if you have a sore spot at the back of your head, it's likely to be tension, on the side of your head, your neck bones may be out of place, in the front of your head, above your eyebrows, it's probably your sinus. The best way to find out is go to a Doctor, he will check you over, and be able to tell what is going on for sure.

Answer 9

You can find information about brain tumours, including common brain tumour symptoms in adults and child on The Brain Tumour Charity website: www.thebraintumourcharity.org.

Brain tumours are relatively rare, meaning most times the symptoms you are showing, will not be due to a brain tumour. If you are worried, I would visit your GP again.

Answer 10

Dizziness