Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Cancers of the brain are the result of abnormal growths of cells in the brain. Brain cancers can come up from primary brain cells, the cells that form other brain components (for example, membranes, blood vessels), or from the growth of cancer cells that grow in other organs and that have spread to the brain by the bloodstream (metastatic brain cancer).

Although many growths in the brain are often called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancerous. Cancer is a specific term for malignant tumors. Malignant tumors grow and spread very aggressive. They disturb healthy cells by taking space, blood, and nutrients. Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive. This is especially a problem in the brain, as the extra growth within the closed limits of the skull can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure or the distortion of surrounding vital structures, causing their malfunction.

Not all brain tumors had specific symptoms, and some are found mainly after death such as tumors of the pituitary gland. The symptoms of brain cancer are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses as well. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing.

The following symptoms are the most common for brain cancer:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Clumsiness
• Difficulty walking
• Seizures

Other nonspecific symptoms and signs include the following:

• Altered mental status -- changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness
• Nausea, vomiting -- especially early in the morning
• Abnormalities in vision
• Difficulty with speech
• Gradual changes in intellectual or emotional capacity