A tumor results from the abnormal growth of cells that reproduce at an uncontrolled rate. Tumors that develop in the brain are either benign or malignant. According to Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, a benign brain tumor consists of harmless cells with a distinct boundary. A malignant brain tumor consists of cancer cells. Both malignant and benign tumors can be fatal, depending on their location in the brain and the pressure and resulting damage to the brain.
Deep indentations divide the two hemispheres of the brain into four lobes. The temporal lobe controls the understanding of sounds and spoken word, emotions, behavior and memory. A temporal lobe brain tumor causes changes in these functions.
Seizures
The American Brain Tumor Association says that seizures are the most common symptom of a temporal lobe tumor. A seizure is often the symptom that alerts a person that she has a tumor. A disruption in the flow of electricity in the brain produces a seizure. Instead of a normal flow, electricity passes in sudden bursts. These spurts can cause convulsions or uncontrollable shaking. During a seizure, a person experiences unusual sensations and may lose consciousness. In some cases, a person may have a focal or partial seizure. According to MedlinePlus, a focal seizure occurs when the disturbance in electrical activity is limited to one area of the brain. During a focal seizure, a person experiences muscle twitching, notices abnormal smells and tastes, feels numbness or tingling and has difficulty speaking.
Dysphasia
Damage caused by a brain tumor in the temporal lobe results in dysphasia, which is difficulty speaking or understanding spoken or writing language. According to the "Merck Manuals," a tumor in the right temporal lobe impairs memory for shapes and sounds. A left temporal lobe tumor in people with left-hemisphere language dominance causes Wernicke's aphasia. A person experiences both an impairment in the memory of words and the ability to understand language.
Receptive Aphasia
According to OncoLink, a person with a temporal lobe tumor can have difficulty comprehending and following simple step-by-step directions. This symptom is clinically referred to as receptive aphasia. The tumor can cause impaired depth perception and spatial and perceptual disturbances, including unusual clumsiness. Perceptual disturbances include hallucinations or perceiving something that does not exist.
Personality Changes
In some instances, a temporal lobe tumor is responsible for changes in personality. A person will suddenly become humorless, come to be more pious, or experience a decrease in libido. Religious or other paranormal experiences reported by a patient with temporal lobe involvement may be a result of auditory or other hallucinations caused by the disease.
