The American Cancer Society reports approximately 22,000 brain and spinal cord cancers were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2009. Glioblastomas and meningiomas are the most common brain and spinal cord tumors in adults; embryonal tumors and pilocytic astrocytomas predominate in infants and children. Although the individual signs and symptoms of brain cancer can occur with other medical conditions, their specific features and tendency to progress over time help point to brain cancer as the underlying cause.
Headache
Headache is the most common symptom of brain cancer. However, headaches are also common in people without brain cancer. A headache that feels different from headaches you've had in the past should raise suspicions of a brain tumor, as should a change in the pattern of headaches. Brain tumor-associated headaches are often worse in the morning compared to later in the day. Vomiting may relieve the headache. Coughing, bending over or straining may increase the pain. Brain tumor headaches are persistent and tend to worsen over time. The pain is typically focused in the spot where the tumor is. Over-the-counter medications that often relieve common headaches typically do not relieve the pain of brain tumor-associated headaches.
Nausea and Vomiting
Increased pressure in the brain caused by the growing brain tumor often leads to nausea and vomiting. The combination of unexplained nausea and vomiting with headache is particularly worrisome, especially if other signs and symptoms of brain cancer are present.
New Onset Seizures
The occurrence of seizures in someone who has not previously had them may be the symptom of brain cancer, especially in adults. Between 25 and 50 percent of people with brain tumors experience seizures.
Unsteadiness
Brain cancer may cause unsteadiness or disturbed balance. Tripping, falling, clumsiness and walking problems may occur.
Lethargy
Brain cancer can cause drowsiness, sluggishness and a dulled level of activity and engagement. People suffering these symptoms may seem apathetic and uninterested in their usual pursuits and relationships.
Personality Changes
People with brain cancer may experience unexplained personality changes such as increased irritability, short temper, agitation, depression and a loss of normal social inhibitions, causing them to act out publicly.
Cognitive Difficulties
Brain cancer can cause difficulties with memory, concentration, word retrieval (not being able to come up with the word you want to use) and other thinking processes. Confusion may occur with common tasks.
Changes in Vision or Hearing
Brain cancer may affect vision and hearing. Blurred vision, double vision, loss of peripheral vision or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes can occur. Unexplained hearing loss may be a symptom of brain cancer.
Localized Weakness or Sensory Changes
Slowly progressing weakness limited to one part of the body can be a symptom of brain cancer. Similarly, tingling, pinprick sensations or numbness limited to a specific area of the body may be caused by a brain tumor. These symptoms tend to come on and progress slowly.
References
- "Clinical Oncology, Third Edition"; Martin D. Abeloff, M.D., et al, Editors; 2004
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures, 2009
- National Cancer Institute: What You Need to Know about Brain Tumors
- National Cancer Institute: General Information about Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors
- American Brain Tumor Association: Symptoms
