Symptoms Resulting from Intracranial Pressure of a Brain Tumor

Injury and tumors affecting the brain can cause intracranial pressure, which is increased pressure inside the skull resulting from an accumulation of fluids or a swelling of the brain. A wide variety of symptoms could identify intracranial pressure.

Headaches

• Headaches are one of the most common symptoms experienced by individuals with a brain tumor. Headaches can come and go frequently, be more persistent in the early hours of the day or worsen with activity.

Mass Effect

• Mass effect is a condition that occurs when the brain is compressed or displaced due to intracranial pressure. Symptoms include vomiting, drowsiness, nausea and various vision changes such as double vision or blurriness.

Mental or Behavioral Changes

• Brain tumors and intracranial pressure can also cause changes in behavior, such as lethargy. It can also cause changes in memory, sense of balance and speech.

Additional Symptoms

• Affected patients may also experience vomiting, ringing in the ears, nausea or varying degrees of hearing loss.

Seizures

• Some individuals may experience seizures; however seizures are only considered a symptom of a brain tumor if no previous history or illness related to the seizures exists.