What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Brain Cancer?

Brain cancer is a malignant mass growing in the brain. There are two forms of brain cancer: primary, which is rarer and starts in the brain. Types of primary brain tumors include acoustic neuroma, astrocytoma, ependymoma, ependymoblastoma, medulloblastoma, meningioma, neuroblastoma, oligodendroglioma and pineoblastoma. Secondary, or metastatic brain tumors, are where the cancer spreads to the brain from another area. The most common cancers that have brain metastasis are breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, neuroblastoma and sarcoma. Signs and symptoms for brain cancer vary due to the location in the brain, the rate that the tumor is growing and its size.

Headaches

• Headaches can be a sign of a brain tumor; however, these are headaches that have recently begun or have changed in pattern. In addition, an increase in severity or frequency could also be a symptom of a malignant brain tumor. However, because headaches are also symptoms of stress and other illnesses, it is important to see a doctor if your headaches seem abnormal or don't respond to medication.

Vision Problems

• Depending on where the brain tumor is located, it can also affect vision. Examples of vision problems that can be caused by a brain tumor are blurred vision, double vision and loss of peripheral vision. These vision problems can be persistent, and may include more than one type of vision problem.

Movement and Balance

• For certain types of brain cancers, patients may experience issues with movement or balance. One sign is a gradual loss of feeling in a limb, or the ability to move a limb. In addition, difficulty with balance can also be a symptom, especially if there is no preexisting balance issue.

Personality and Behavioral Changes

• If the malignant tumor is located on or against the frontal lobe, symptoms will include personality and/or behavioral changes. This will involve the patient acting extremely different or reacting in an odd manner, and will be noticeable to people around him.

Seizures

• Seizures, especially when there is no previous history, are a possible sign that there is a brain tumor. Seizures are important to watch out for, as a seizure can result in injury.

Warning

• Because symptoms can vary based on the location of the brain tumor, patients may or may not experience the above listed signs. Therefore, it is important to watch for any abnormalities, and see your doctor if anything worries you.