Signs & symptoms of a Brain Tumour

Brain tumours may be located in different areas of the brain. The signs and symptoms that you may experience can vary depending on the location.

In the diagram shown we have illustrated some of the main areas and their general functions (Fig. 1). Most people will suffer from a combination of the following signs and symptoms, however many will have specific traits associated with particular tumour sites.

Structure of the brain

Structure of the brain

(A) HEADACHE

Not all headaches are the sign of a brain tumour; they can also be caused by many reasons including tiredness, dehydration, stress, tension etc. If they are severe, repeated and associated with vomiting or are worse in the morning time they should be taken seriously and medical advice sought.

(B) VISUAL PROBLEMS

Some people experience diplopia (double vision), blurring, decreased peripheral vision or an inability to see anything to one side.

(C) SPEECH DIFFICULTIES

If your tumour is in your temporal lobe speech problems can be a major symptom Dysarthria (slurring of speech), dysphasia (jumbling of words) are two of the most common problems. You may sometimes have problems trying to express yourself as you know what to say but the wrong word is said. This can be extremely frustrating and upsetting for both you and your family. Speech therapy as discussed later can help with this problem.

(D) MEMORY LOSS

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(E) WEAKNESS/PARALYSIS

You may find that one side of your body has become weaker than the other, similar to having a stroke. The affected limb/limbs often feel heavier or have an altered sensation i.e.: hypersensitive/numb.

(F) VOMITING

Vomiting is a common problem especially with patients whose tumour is in their Posterior Fossa (base of the brain). It can be associated with nausea, though normally it isn’t. Vomiting can be sudden and projectile in nature and is usually unrelated to food.

(G) SEIZURES

About 20-50% of adults with brain tumours develop epilepsy. The term seizure or fit is the same, and more than one episode is known as epilepsy. Seizure activity can vary dramatically from jerking or shaking of one or more limbs for a number of minutes to localised involuntary movements such as lip smacking. Some people can experience absence attacks lasting only a few seconds and this is also known as epilepsy.

(H) PERSONALITY CHANGES

These may often be subtle and discreet, noticed only by close contacts or family members initially. Loss of social restraint, inappropriate behaviour, disorientation and confusion may all be noticed.