Brain cancer symptoms

Symptoms depend on where the tumour is in the brain and how slowly or quickly the tumour is growing. Symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over time.

Many symptoms are likely to be caused by other medical conditions, but see your doctor about any new, persistent or worsening symptoms.

Learn more about:

• General symptoms
• Symptoms caused by the position of the tumour

General symptoms

Brain tumours can increase pressure inside the skull (known as intracranial pressure). Pressure can build up because the tumour is taking up too much space, is causing brain swelling or is blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain (see Having a shunt).

Increased pressure inside the skull can lead to symptoms such as:

• headaches – often worse when you wake up
• nausea and vomiting – often worse in the morning or after changing position (e.g. moving from sitting to standing)
• confusion and irritability
• blurred or double vision
• seizures (fits) – might cause some jerking or twitching of your hands, arms or legs, or affect the whole body
• drowsiness
• weakness in parts of the body
• poor coordination
• loss of consciousness
• difficulty speaking or finding the right words.

Symptoms caused by the position of the tumor

Other symptoms depend on where the tumour is located in the brain or spinal cord – see below for more on this.

Common tumour symptoms

The symptoms you experience will depend on where the tumour is in the brain or spinal cord. See above for general symptoms caused by pressure in the skull.

→ READ MORE: Brain cancer diagnosis