AI Summary Overview
Quick Glance: Common Brain Tumour Symptoms
Brain tumour symptoms can vary depending on the tumour's location, size and growth rate. Common symptoms of a brain tumour may include:
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New, persistent or worsening headaches
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Nausea or vomiting, particularly with headaches
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Seizures
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Blurred or double vision
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Problems with balance, coordination or walking
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Weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body
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Difficulty speaking, understanding or finding words
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Changes in memory, thinking, concentration, behaviour or personality
Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean that a person has a brain tumour. Many of these symptoms can have other causes.
Brain Tumour Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored
Persistent, new or progressively worsening neurological symptoms should be medically assessed, particularly when they occur together or interfere with everyday activities. The following symptoms of a brain tumour should not be ignored:
| Symptom | What It May Indicate |
| New or progressively worsening headaches | May occur as a tumour grows or causes increased pressure inside the skull. |
| First-time seizure | May indicate abnormal electrical activity in the brain and requires medical assessment. |
| Progressive weakness or numbness | May occur when areas of the brain involved in movement or sensation are affected. |
| New or worsening vision problems | May occur when the visual pathways or nearby brain structures are affected. |
| Persistent nausea or vomiting with headaches | Can occur when pressure inside the skull increases, particularly alongside other neurological symptoms. |
| New difficulty speaking or understanding language | May occur when areas of the brain involved in language are affected. |
| Progressive changes in memory, thinking or behaviour | May occur when areas involved in cognition or behaviour are affected. |
| Increasing problems with balance or walking | May occur when the cerebellum or other areas involved in movement and coordination are affected. |
Why Do Brain Tumour Symptoms Occur?
Brain tumour symptoms mainly occur because a tumour can press on, irritate or interfere with normal brain tissue. The symptoms depend largely on where the tumour develops, its size and how quickly it grows.
The skull is a rigid structure with limited space for the brain. As a tumour grows, it can increase pressure inside the skull. It may also cause swelling or interfere with the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), contributing to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and vision problems.
Symptoms can also depend on the part of the brain affected. For example, a tumour affecting the frontal lobe may cause changes in movement, behaviour, personality, planning or speech. Tumours affecting the temporal lobe may cause memory, hearing or language problems, while those affecting the occipital lobe may affect vision. Similarly, a tumour in the parietal lobe can affect sensation, movement and spatial awareness, while a tumour in the cerebellum can impact balance and coordination.
A tumour affecting the brainstem can interfere with functions such as swallowing, speech and movement. However, tumours involving the pituitary gland may affect hormone production and can sometimes cause vision or reproductive changes.
The rate at which a tumour grows can also affect how symptoms develop. Slow-growing tumours may cause subtle symptoms over months or years, while faster-growing tumours may cause noticeable symptoms over a shorter period.
Brain Tumour Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention
Seek urgent medical care if any of the following brain tumour symptoms occur:
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A first-time seizure or fit
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A seizure lasting more than five minutes or repeated seizures without recovery between them
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A sudden, extremely severe headache that reaches maximum intensity very quickly
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Loss of consciousness or difficulty waking
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Sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body
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Sudden difficulty speaking, understanding speech or seeing
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Severe confusion or a rapid change in consciousness
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Difficulty breathing, particularly during or after a seizure
These symptoms can have several causes and do not necessarily indicate a brain tumour. However, they can signal a medical emergency and require immediate assessment.
Symptoms of Brain Tumour Based on Type
The table below highlights the symptoms of different types of brain tumours:
| Type | Common Symptoms |
| Primary brain tumour | Headaches, seizures, vision problems, weakness, balance problems or cognitive changes, depending on the tumour's location, size and growth rate |
| Secondary brain tumour (brain metastasis) | Headaches, seizures, weakness, balance problems, speech changes or cognitive changes, depending on where the cancer has spread |
| Benign or non-cancerous brain tumour | Headaches, seizures, vision changes, balance problems or changes in memory and behaviour, depending on the tumour's location and size |
| Malignant or cancerous brain tumour | Headaches, seizures, neurological changes, speech problems, vision changes or cognitive changes, depending on the tumour's location and growth |
Symptoms of Brain Tumour in Children
Brain tumour symptoms in children can be similar to those in adults, but younger children may show symptoms differently because they may not be able to describe what they are experiencing.
Possible symptoms of a brain tumour in children include:
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Persistent or worsening headaches
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Nausea or vomiting
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Seizures
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Problems with balance, coordination or walking
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Changes in vision
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Weakness or changes in movement
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Changes in speech, learning or behaviour
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Unusual sleepiness or changes in alertness
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Changes in development or skills that were previously acquired
Symptoms can vary depending on the child's age and the part of the brain affected. These symptoms are often caused by conditions other than a brain tumour, but persistent or unusual changes should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Can You Have a Brain Tumour Without Symptoms?
Yes. Some brain tumours may cause no noticeable symptoms, particularly when they are small or slow-growing. Others may cause subtle symptoms that develop gradually and are difficult to recognise at first.
A brain tumour may also be discovered incidentally when brain imaging is performed for another reason. However, the absence of symptoms does not confirm that a tumour is absent. Nonetheless, routine screening for brain tumours is not generally recommended for people who have no symptoms or other specific risk factors.
When Can Brain Tumour Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?
Brain tumour symptoms can become life-threatening when a tumour, swelling or related complication significantly increases pressure inside the skull or affects areas of the brain that control vital functions. These symptoms include:
| Emergency Condition | What May Happen |
| Raised intracranial pressure | A tumour or associated swelling can increase pressure inside the skull, potentially causing worsening headaches, vomiting, drowsiness or changes in consciousness. |
| Prolonged or repeated seizures | A seizure lasting more than five minutes or repeated seizures without recovery can require emergency medical treatment. |
| Loss of consciousness | Increasing drowsiness, loss of consciousness or difficulty waking can indicate serious neurological deterioration. |
| Sudden neurological changes | Sudden weakness, speech problems, severe confusion or vision loss can indicate a serious neurological emergency and require urgent assessment. |
| Brainstem involvement | A tumour or swelling affecting the brainstem can interfere with functions such as breathing and swallowing and may require immediate medical attention. |
How are Brain Tumour Symptoms Diagnosed?
Doctors assess symptoms using a medical history, neurological examination, and, when appropriate, brain imaging. Further tests may be recommended depending on the symptoms and clinical findings. The following table provides a list of diagnostic tests used to confirm a brain tumour:
| Diagnostic Test | Purpose |
| Neurological examination | Assesses strength, sensation, coordination, reflexes, balance, vision, hearing and other nervous system functions. |
| MRI brain scan | Provides detailed images of the brain and helps identify the location and characteristics of a suspected tumour. |
| CT scan | Produces images of the brain and may be used when rapid imaging is needed, or MRI is unsuitable. |
| Eye examination | May identify changes associated with increased pressure inside the skull or problems affecting the visual pathways. |
| Biopsy | Examines tumour tissue to help determine the tumour type and other characteristics when required. |
| Blood tests | May assess general health or help investigate other possible causes of symptoms, but they do not usually diagnose a brain tumour. |
| Additional specialist tests | May be recommended depending on the suspected tumour location, symptoms and clinical findings. |
A brain scan can help identify a suspected brain tumour, while a biopsy may be needed in appropriate cases to establish its exact type.
FAQs
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Q1. What is the first symptom of a brain tumour?
Ans: There is no single first symptom of a brain tumour. Headaches are common, but seizures, vision changes, weakness, balance problems or cognitive changes may also be early noticeable symptoms. -
Q2. Can a brain tumour develop without symptoms?
Ans: Yes. Some brain tumours may not cause noticeable symptoms, particularly when they are small or slow-growing. Others may cause subtle symptoms that develop gradually. -
Q3. Which brain tumour symptoms should not be ignored?
Ans: Brain tumour symptoms, such as a first-time seizure, progressively worsening neurological symptoms, persistent vomiting with headaches, new weakness or numbness, worsening vision problems and significant changes in speech, memory or behaviour, should be medically assessed.
