What are the symptoms of brain tumors?

Brain tumor symptoms depend on the size of the tumor, the location of the tumor, and how quickly it has grown. Symptoms can be caused by the damage the tumor does to parts of the brain. Or they can be caused from increased pressure inside the skull, swelling in the brain, or blockage of the flow of fluid in the brain.

If a brain tumor grows slowly, symptoms may be less obvious or dramatic. You may not even notice them for a long time. The most common symptoms of a brain tumor include:

• Headaches. They can be worse in the morning or with activity. The headaches may wake you up in the middle of the night. They may become less painful as the day goes on. About half of people with brain tumors complain of headaches. The headaches tend not to cause sensitivity to light and sound as is common with a migraine.

• Seizures. About half of people with brain tumors will have seizures or convulsions. Seizures have a wide range of symptoms. Seizures may cause loss of consciousness or confusion. Or changes in sensation like tingling, or muscle twitches and spasms. It is not uncommon to leak urine or stool during a seizure.

• Nausea. This may occur with or without vomiting.

• Vomiting. This may occur without nausea.

• Weakness or loss of feeling. This can happen in the arms, legs, or both. It may occur on only one side of the body.

• Tiredness. You may feel tired often.

• Memory or personality changes. You may have trouble remembering, loss of judgment, or have changes in your behavior.

Symptoms can also include:

• Stumbling or trouble walking

• Changes in vision or abnormal eye movements

• Changes in speech or trouble talking

• Changes in alertness, from increased sleepiness to coma

Again, symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected. As the tumor grows, an increase in intracranial pressure within the skull can make headaches, nausea, and vomiting worse.

Swelling around the tumor, called edema, can also make symptoms worse.

When to see your healthcare provider

Most of the time these symptoms are caused by other health problems. But it's important to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have a brain tumor.