The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system and literally control all the functions of the body. A tumor is a growth of unnaturally occurring cells and causes a mass that can occupy space and put pressure on a portion of the brain or spinal cord, disrupting proper function. Some tumors are malignant or cancerous, and others are benign or non-cancerous. Some tumors may cause serious effects and dysfunction in the body, others might only give the person mild symptoms such as headaches. Tumors in this region may also not cause any symptoms at all and can go undetected for years.
Headaches
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms caused by tumors in the brain or spinal cord depend completely on their size, location of growth, rate of growth and type. However, a very common symptom with most brain tumors is the onset of headaches. Headache symptoms may develop more prominently in the mornings or may wake individuals up at night. A pattern of headache that is repetitious is symptomatic of a tumor. As a tumor grows, it may cause headaches to become more frequent and more severe. There are many causes of headaches completely unrelated to a tumor, but if you are experiencing frequent or repetitive headaches, you should speak with your doctor.
Loss of Sensation
The sensations that are recognized on the skin can be disrupted by a tumor in either the brain or the spinal cord. The pattern of sensation loss can help identify where the tumor is located. If you suffer with a brain tumor, you may notice that in addition to a loss of sensation you experience weakness in the arms or legs, have bouts of dizziness or vertigo and difficulty with balance.
Nausea and Vomiting
Both nausea and vomiting that are unexplained by other conditions can be signs of a brain or spinal cord tumor. According to the National Institutes of Health, nausea and vomiting may be associated with headaches and may be worse in the morning.
Seizures
The American Brain Tumor Association reports that about one-third of people diagnosed with brain tumors were unaware that they had tumors until they had a seizure. Seizures are the result of disrupted electrical impulses in the brain or spinal cord and can cause convulsions and loss of consciousness or more focal disruptions, such as twitching, abnormal smells and tastes or problems with speech.
Personality Changes
Since the central nervous system controls are personality and thought processes, a tumor in the brain or spinal cord can lead to changes in many areas of personality or brain function. Some individuals with tumors will experience a change in their ability to remember and recall or even concentrate. Others may experience changes in speech and communication. Any unexplained change in personality should be investigated by a doctor.
