noticeable symptoms to help in detecting it.
Once the brain tumor gets to a large enough size to cause pressure or pain, that’s when a new onset of headaches may occur. If you already have headaches, there may be a change in the pattern or severity of them.
A brain tumor can also cause the following symptoms and signs:
- Balance difficulty
- Behavior changes
- Confusion
- Decision-making difficulty
- Gradual loss of movement or sensation in arm or leg
- Hearing issues
- Inability to follow commands
- Seizures (particularly in those without a history of them)
- Speech difficulty
- Tiredness
- Unexplained vomiting or nausea
- Vision problems (blurred, double, or loss of peripheral vision)
Brain Tumor Risk Factors
Doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk of a brain tumor.
A family history of brain tumors can increase your chances of developing them, as well as exposure to radiation, particularly ionizing radiation such as the kinds that treat cancer and are caused by atomic bombs.
When to Talk to a Doctor
If you have a family history of brain tumors or feel that you are showing the signs or symptoms of one, do not hesitate to seek out medical attention.
Your doctor may recommend imaging tests or a neurological exam to help diagnose brain tumors. A biopsy – when the abnormal tissue is collected and tested – may also offer clues about the brain tumor. It may also be used as part of the operation for removal.
A brain tumor can be cured if caught early. The size and location of the brain tumor also determine the outlook of curing it.
Options for treating a brain tumor include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, surgery, or target drug therapy.
Unfortunately, a brain tumor may often return and there may be cases where the brain tumor is impossible to remove.