Brain Tumor Symptoms

Brain tumors take up space in one of the most delicate parts of the body. As a result, they make their presence felt fairly rapidly. Brain tumor symptoms are dependent on where the tumour is located in the brain.

The cause of brain tumor symptoms is increased pressure within the skull. There is only a finite amount of space within the confines of the skull and the brain tumor causes this space to become more crowded, le a sense of pressure to the head.

The most important thing to remember is that if you are experiencing headaches, nausea, drowning or fits or fits, brain tumors are rarely the cause. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, brain tumors cannot be ruled out.

The headaches and sickness stemming from brain tumors have a different character. For example, headaches are quite severe and prolonged and are worst in the morning. Sickness is also worst in the morning. You might actually be sick or hiccup a lot. Drowsiness is a later symptom of brain tumors. Sickness and drowsiness are a strong feature of tumors of the cerebellum, at the back of the brain.

Fits are a commonly experienced symptom of brain tumors. Fits can take the form of involuntary jerking in the hand or leg. Sometimes the whole body jerks. Some fits can lead to brief periods of unconsciousness. In tumors of the temporal lobe, which controls memory, emotions and sight, fits can be accompanied by strange smells or a strong feeling of déjà vu.

There are numerous other brain tumor symptoms which are even more debilitating. The person may see floating shapes in their line of vision, or experience loss of vision on one side. This often happeith frontal-lobe tumors.

Brain tumor symptoms can lead to difficulty in performing every day tasks. Tumors of the parietal lobe, the language centre, lead to difficulty talking and reading and difficulty understanding what is being said to them. Brain tumors can also lead to memory loss.

Frontal-lobe tumors cause changes in personality, difficulty in planning and apathy. Tumors in the brain stem lead to poor coordination and difficulty in swallowing and speaking. They are also characterised by a drooping eyelid on one side.

A number of tests have been developed to determine whether a brain tumor is the root cause of these symptoms. These include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Position Emission Tomography (PET) scans, an EEG and a spinal tap. A biopsy, in which a piece of the tumor is surgically removed, determines what type of tumour it is.

Once the tumor has been diagnosed, patients will be given surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Steroids are administered to reduce the pressure inside the skull.

Brain tumor symptoms develop slowly over time and grow worse if they are left untreated. Tests determine whether a tumor is malignant and each tumor is given a numbered score to rate its malignancy.

The brain tumour symptoms are treated by neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists and radiation specialists. Many patients need some form of rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

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