10 Early Symptoms of Brain Tumor You Should Never Ignore

Have you ever experienced a headache that feels a bit unusual? Maybe it’s more persistent, worsens in the morning, or feels more intense than normal? Sometimes, small changes like forgetting simple things, constant headaches, or having difficulty following instructions can indicate bigger issues. These aren’t issues to panic over; however, they might be signs worth paying attention to. Because these are some common signs or symptoms of brain tumors.

Generally, these symptoms are harmless and caused by everyday factors. But if these symptoms stick around or seem out of the ordinary for you, it’s a smart decision to check in with a doctor to know the underlying cause. After all, being aware of what’s going on with your body helps you take better care of yourself.

What is a Brain Tumor?

A brain tumor is abnormal cell growth in or near the brain. It can begin in the brain tissue itself or in nearby areas such as nerves, the pituitary gland (master gland at the base of your brain), or the membranes covering the brain.

There are two major categories of brain tumors:

Primary: Begins in the brain
Secondary (metastatic brain tumors): Spreads from other body parts

Some types of brain tumors are noncancerous (benign) and grow slowly, while other types, like malignant tumors, grow fast and can harm brain tissue. But both types affect brain function and need medical care.

Hence, if you notice any of the early brain tumor symptoms, you should contact your doctor to confirm the underlying condition.

10 Early Symptoms of Brain Tumor: You Need to Pay Attention Them

These are some common signs and symptoms that anyone with a brain tumor can experience. However, do not diagnose your condition by yourself or by reading this article. Contact only your healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis.

Also keep in mind: The early symptoms of a brain tumor depend on its:

Type
Size
Location
Growth rate

1. Headaches

Constant headaches feel worse in the morning or get severe over time. The tumor raises pressure inside the skull and irritates the brain tissues, leading to these headaches.

2. Seizures

One can experience seizures affecting different parts of their body or loss of consciousness. Tumors can disturb the brain's electrical signals, leading to sudden muscle jerks or seizures.

3. Vision problems

Tumors near optic nerves (which connect the retina of each eye to the brain) may blur or double your vision. This happens as the brain tumor can damage the areas that help process what you see.

4. Numbness or weakness

One can experience weakness or loss of feeling in an arm, leg, or face. Because the tumor disturbs the nerve signals, they can’t pass through properly.

5. Improper balance

Dizziness or unsteadiness are some of the symptoms. Because tumors can affect the parts of the brain that control coordination, leading to clumsiness or difficulty walking.

6. Speech challenges

One can experience slurred speech or difficulties finding the right words. Because tumors can disrupt brain areas that regulate language, making it hard to speak or perceive words.

7. Loss of memory

One can face difficulty in memorizing simple names or tasks. Because tumors can disrupt thinking and memory regions of the brain, making it harder to focus or remember things.

8. Change in personality

Tumors in certain brain regions can cause unexpected mood swings, irritability, or strange behavior. Family and close friends often notice these sudden changes first.

9. Nausea or vomiting

Pressure from the tumor can induce nausea without any digestive illness. This symptom is often accompanied by headaches.

10. Fatigue

One can feel persistent tiredness because the brain is under constant stress, and the body is reacting to the tumor’s presence.

Brain Tumor Symptoms By Region

Brain tumor symptoms may differ based on the different parts of the cerebrum (main part of the brain):

Some other brain cancer symptoms to watch out for are:

1. Front of the brain (control thinking and movement)

Brain Tumor Symptoms: Personality changes, such as memory loss and lack of interest in regular activities.

2. Middle of the brain (processes signals of vision & hearing)

Brain Tumor Symptoms: Vision and hearing problems.

3. Back of the brain (control vision)

Brain Tumor Symptoms: Vision loss.

4. Lower part of the brain (process memories and senses)

Brain Tumor Symptoms: Memory problems, unpleasant taste or smell.

Seizures and brain tumor early signs

Seizures are the most common first symptom contributing to a brain tumor diagnosis in adults. There are more than 40 types of epilepsy, of which brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) is one. Up to 2 in 3 people diagnosed with a brain tumor will suffer epilepsy or at least one brain tumor seizure.

Brain tumor symptoms usually fall into one of two categories:

Focal aware seizures (such as sensing unusual tastes or smells or having a burning sensation)
Focal impaired awareness seizures (trouble understanding or answering people or visual disturbances, like coloured or flashing lights)

A brain tumor might cause a seizure or epilepsy because the tumor might create a chemical imbalance in the brain or cause the cells around the tumor to develop abnormally.

Abnormal vision changes in brain tumor

A change in vision due to brain tumors is blurred vision. People could notice that it has become difficult to watch TV or read.

This happens because, as the tumor grows, there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This can compress normal healthy brain tissue, including the main cranial nerves (which control functions like vision) within the brain. This resulting pressure can interfere with the optic nerve function, subsequently affecting the vision.

Headache nausea: common brain tumour symptoms

A headache due to a brain tumor happens because it increases pressure inside the skull. The tumor can irritate sensitive structures like the dura (the outer covering of the brain) and adjacent blood vessels, triggering pain signals. It can also block normal fluid flow in the brain, causing headaches that are often worse in the morning.

However, according to a neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins’ Comprehensive Brain Tumor Center, the chance that the headache is a sign of a brain tumor is very unlikely.

When to See a Doctor

Brain tumors can cause a wide range of symptoms that are based on stages and the part of the brain being affected. However, it’s always a good idea to consult a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following on a regular basis:

Worsening headache
Seizure or epilepsy
Hearing issues
Personality changes (your family and friends may notice)
Weakness or numbness
Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
Nausea and vomiting
Vision issues

FAQs

What is it like to have a seizure caused by a brain tumor?

A brain tumor disturbs the electrical signal of the brain, leading to a seizure. One can feel sudden, random muscle movements, unusual sensations, or confusion.

What does a brain tumor look like?

In CT or MRI scans, a brain tumor looks like a distinct mass in the brain tissue. Its shape and size are based on the tumor type and region of the brain affected.

What are the risk factors of brain tumors?

Though the reasons behind brain tumors occurring are unclear. Some of the risk factors can be family history, exposure to radiation, certain genetic conditions, age (more common in older adults), and exposure to environmental toxins.

How are brain tumors diagnosed?

Brain tumors are diagnosed using imaging tests like MRI and CT scans, plus neurological exams. At times, a biopsy is done to test tumor cells to confirm the diagnosis.