The National Cancer Institute reports that in 2009 approximately 22,070 cases of brain tumors were diagnosed in the United States. Brain tumors may originate in the brain, or they may start somewhere else in the body, such as in the lungs, and then spread to the brain. The brain is an extremely complex organ with its different parts controlling different body functions. Because of the complexity of the brain, symptoms of advanced brain cancer vary widely, and depend on which parts of the brain have been affected.
Increased Intracranial Pressure
Intracranial pressure occurs when the brain tumor grows in size, or fluid fills the skull. The space cannot accommodate the extra tumor/fluid. The Core Curriculum of Nursing Oncology lists fever, slow shallow breathing, slow heart rate, abnormal posture, paralysis, seizures, and pin-point pupils as late signs of intracranial pressure. Nausea, vomiting, coma and blurred vision may also occur in earlier stages.
Seizures
The Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing reports that 35 percent of patients with brain tumors have seizure activity at some point in their disease. The American Brain Tumor Association explains that seizures occur because the electrical impulses in the brain are disrupted, causing electrical bursts resulting in seizure activity. Seizures also occur with intracranial pressure.
Cerebral Edema
Cerebral edema is the compression of the brain caused by swelling surrounding the tumor. Symptoms occurring with this edema include confusion, headaches on one side of the head, and increased drowsiness. Herniation of the brain can also occur due to edema and can include unconsciousness, abnormal posture, coma, irregular breathing patterns, and death.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is described by the Core Curriculum of Oncology Nursing as the blocking of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain caused by swelling or tumor growth. Symptoms for hydrocephalus include headache, loss of balance and coordination, confusion, memory loss and urinary incontinence.
Direct or Local Symptoms
Symptoms related to the growth of the brain tumor vary widely depending on the location of the tumor. The American Brain Tumor Association states that breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure may be affected if the tumor is located in the brain stem or midbrain. Tumors in the frontal lobes of the brain can affect personality, judgment, memory and speech. Tumors located in the parietal lobes can cause pain sensations and temperature changes. The occipital lobes are responsible for sight, which may be lost if tumors are located in this area of the brain. The temporal lobes control hearing, memory and some speech. Tumors of the cerebellum can cause loss of balance and coordination. If the hypothalamus or thalamus are affected, sleep may be disturbed. Other symptoms include changes in the body's water balance, loss of appetite, changes in temperature and blood pressure.
References
- "Core Cirriculum for Oncology Nursing"; Joanne, Itano PhD.; Karen Taoka MSN; 2005.
- American Brain Tumor Association: Brain Tumor Symptoms
- The National Cancer Institute: Brain Tumor
