According to the Cedars-Sinai Health Systems, approximately 1 percent of all diagnosed cancers are brain cancers. It also reports that most cancerous tumors in the brain are caused by the spread of cancerous cells elsewhere in the body; such a cancer is called metastatic cancer. Brain tumors can cause health problems directly by destroying brain tissue, or indirectly by increasing the pressure in the brain. According to the National Cancer Institute, the symptoms of brain cancer vary greatly based upon the location of the tumor and the rate at which the cancer grows.
Headaches
The most common symptom of brain cancer, according to the online medical library Merck Manuals, is a headache. However, most headaches are not caused by brain tumors. Headaches caused by brain tumors are a result of increased pressure in the head. Merck Manuals reports that brain tumor-induced headaches often keep coming back with greater severity and frequency; the headache may become persistent with no periods of relief. The headache may be worse while lying down or cause a person to wake up in the middle of the night. The National Cancer Institute reports that the headaches may be worse in the morning. Cedars-Sinai Health Systems notes that the headaches often feel deep and dull.
Problems with the Senses
Because the brain controls how one sees, hears, speaks, touches, smells and tastes, these senses can all be affected by the damage caused by brain cancer. According to Merck Manuals, brain cancer can cause doubled or blurred vision, and peripheral vision disturbances. The affected person may have trouble hearing or speaking. Because smell and taste may be affected, the way food tastes may be altered. One may even feel loss of sensation in a limb, such as an arm or a leg, which may eventually become paralyzed. The person may have a hard time feeling pressure or temperature, such as distinguishing between hot or cold.
Mood and Personality Disturbances
If the cancer damages or puts pressure upon the area of the brain that controls mood and personality, the brain tumor may cause disturbances to these psychological aspects. Cedars-Sinai Health Systems reports that brain cancer can cause personality changes, and the person may suffer from intense confusion. According to Merck Manuals, the person may be unable to concentrate and unable to work efficiently at his job. Brain cancer may also cause symptoms of depression, such as lethargy, anxiety and a bleak outlook on life. Brain tumors may cause people to behave in very uncharacteristic ways due to a loss of inhibition. The National Cancer Institute also reports that the person may have problems with memory as well.
Other Symptoms
The National Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai, and Merck Manuals report that other symptoms that may be caused by brain cancer include seizures, nausea, vomiting, difficulty walking, dizziness and changes in breathing and/or heart rate.
