In some cases, a brain tumour grows slowly and symptoms develop gradually, so you may not be aware that anything is wrong at first. In other cases, symptoms appear suddenly.
Many symptoms of brain tumours are more likely to be caused by other factors. However, any new, persistent or worsening symptoms should be reported to your doctor.
General symptoms – Brain tumour symptoms may be caused by increased pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure). Pressure can build up because the tumour itself is taking up too much space or because it is blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain.
Intracranial pressure 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) – can be obvious, involving a loss of consciousness, or more subtle, such as “zoning out”
weakness in parts of the body
drowsiness – a later symptom.
Symptoms caused by tumour position – Other symptoms relate to where in the brain or spinal cord the tumour is located – see the diagram below.
Dr Brindha Shivalingam, Neurosurgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Conjoint A/Prof Andrew Cole, University of New South Wales, Senior Staff Specialist and Director, Cancer Rehabilitation Service, Greenwich Hospital Rehabilitation Service, and Chief Medical Officer, HammondCare, NSW; Laraine Cross, Senior Clinician, Social Work and Psychosocial Oncology Services, Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW; Dr Anthony Dowling, Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, VIC; Kate Fernandez, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Ian Gelling, Consumer; Anne King, Cancer Nurse Coordinator Neuro-oncology, WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, WA; Jodie Nixon, Team Leader Cancer Occupational Therapy, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD; Prof Tamara Ownsworth, School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, QLD; Dr Claire Phillips, Radiation Oncologist, Breast and Neuro-oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
The cancer information on this website is based on the Understanding Cancer series booklets published by Cancer Council. This information is reviewed and updated every two years or as new information comes to hand. Cancer Council works with cancer doctors, specialist nurses or other relevant health professionals to ensure the medical information is reliable and up to date. Consumers also check the booklets to ensure they meet the needs of people with cancer. Before commencing any health treatment, always consult your doctor. This information is intended as a general introduction and should not be seen as a substitute for your own doctor’s or health professional’s advice. All care is taken to ensure that the information contained is accurate at the time of publication.
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