What Are The Tell-Tale Brain Tumour Symptoms And Signs?

The impact that radiotherapy treatment can have on brain tumours can be transformational for patients. In malignant (cancerous) treatments they can extend life considerably, especially if the diagnosis is an early one, while in the best cases, benign (non-cancerous) tumours may be either rendered almost harmless or removed altogether.

Radiotherapy may in some cases be carried out alongside other treatments such as chemotherapy and invasive surgery, but first, a diagnosis is required; some patients can have brain tumours for considerable lengths of time without realising it.

When Symptoms Appear

It is possible in some cases to have a brain tumour while remaining asymptomatic for a long time. This is often because the tumour is growing very slowly, so there is no noticeable deterioration in health or any kind of brain or body function. In benign tumours, this can be especially the case, as they are often very slow-growing.

However, this does not mean patients will never experience symptoms. Rather, it means they will harbour tumours for longer before the signs start to appear.

The upside of this situation is that slow-growing tumours are by nature easier to treat and manage, whereas, by contrast, fast-growing, aggressive and cancerous tumours like glioblastomas are incurable and need more powerful treatment responses.

Whether a tumour is growing rapidly or slowly, is malignant or benign, there will come a point where signs start to appear. Recognising these is the key to diagnosis and to accessing treatment, which can also help tackle some of the symptoms that will begin to impact on the quality of life of the patient.

This will occur chiefly because the growth of the tumour will eventually cause it to press upon the brain, at which point symptoms will start to appear.

Neurological Signs

A progressive neurological disorder is the most obvious sign. This involves a gradual degeneration of brain function and involves a deterioration of core functions such as communication and memory, as well as sometimes leading to personality changes.

It is important to note that progressive neurological disorders represent a broad medical category and they can arise from other causes, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is often caused by a brain tumour, for example, impeding speech by pressing on the areas of the brain most associated with communication.

The area of the brain that controls speech is usually found on the left side of the brain, although it can be on the right for a minority of left-handed people.

Why Headaches May Be A Sign

Severe headaches can also be caused by tumours. However, this does not mean that most patients who suffer from persistent headaches have a tumour, as there are many other potential causes, such as dehydration, another illness, a sinus infection or susceptibility to migraines.

Nonetheless, around half of tumour patients reported headaches as one of the symptoms that indicated something was wrong.

This means the appropriate response for the patient suffering from persistent headaches is to see a doctor. In the vast majority of cases, it will not be a tumour, but if it is, this will be the first sign that will lead to a diagnosis.  If it is not, the doctor may be able to identify another cause and establish how the problem can be treated.

Another common sign of a tumour is a deterioration in some motor functions. For example, a patient may find muscle weakness or sight impairment. If this happens on only one sign of the body, that may be a tell-tale sign that a tumour is starting to impact on one side of the brain.

Seizures are another problem that can arise. This can include full convulsive fits, but it may also manifest in milder symptoms such as muscle twitches. A further common symptom is vomiting and nausea.

Seeking A Diagnosis

The above symptoms often accompany headaches, but once again it should be emphasised that this is not necessarily the result of a tumour and, like the headaches, may arise from other causes. Nonetheless, patients need to seek medical attention. If the problems are only visual, you should see your optician first.

Since these signs are only indicators that something is wrong, but not necessarily that a tumour is present, patients should discuss them thoroughly with a medical professional. A referral for scans can help identify if a tumour is present and further tests will help establish its characteristics, most importantly whether it is benign or malignant.

The sooner a tumour is diagnosed, the faster treatment can begin. As radiotherapy has the primary effect of shrinking a tumour, it follows that the larger the tumour is, the more it needs to shrink to ease the symptoms. Moreover, treating a malignant tumour earlier gives the cancer less opportunity to spread, helping extend or even save a life.