MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, details how brain tumors may be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Merck Manuals, an online medical library, reports that brain tumors are more common in men than women. Both malignant and benign brain tumors may cause multiple symptoms; these symptoms differ based on how large they grow, and their location.
Headaches
Merck Manuals reports that increased pressure in the skull due to the growth of the tumor may cause headaches. In fact, the most common symptom of a brain tumor is a headache. The headaches may be intermittent initially, and then finally become constant. Merck Manuals also reports that the headache may be worse while lying down. Importantly, most headaches are not caused by brain tumors; according to the Mayo Clinic, one sign to pay attention to is whether the headaches are getting more frequent and severe. There may also be sudden onset of severe headaches, or a change in the pattern of headaches.
Mood, Behavior or Personality Disturbances
Merck Manuals and the Mayo Clinic report that a brain tumor may cause psychological changes, such as changes in mood, behavior or personality. Merck Manuals specifies that people with a brain tumor may become moody, anxious, withdrawn or unable to keep their attention focused. The person may even behave bizarrely in ways that seem very out of character. A brain tumor may also cause confusion or disorientation. The nature of the changes in mood, behavior or personality depends upon the size and location of the tumor. Merck Manuals notes that the changes may be more apparent to those around the affected person than to the person himself.
Sensation Disturbances
According to MedlinePlus, the tumor may cause changes in the way a person sees, talks, hears or feels; additionally, Merck Manuals reports that the way things smell may change. The sensation of temperature may be altered, and a person may find it difficult to sense hot or cold. The Mayo Clinic specifies that problems with vision may manifest as blurred or doubled vision, or peripheral vision may be disturbed. There may also be a gradual change in sensation, such as slowly losing feeling in one arm or leg.
Other Symptoms
According to Merck Manuals, other possible signs and symptoms of a brain tumor include nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy and changes in consciousness. Balance and coordination may become difficult, and the person may feel dizzy or a sense of vertigo. Sometime brain tumors can cause seizures.
