Symptoms and Complications
A person with a brain tumor may experience various signs and symptoms of the condition. As the tumor grows, it puts pressure on the brain and its tissues. This pressure can affect the way the blood flows, as well as damage brain cells or cause swelling of the brain.
Common symptoms of a brain tumor include headaches and seizures. Other signs and symptoms, such as loss of speech or vision, are possible and depend on the location of the tumor.
Headaches may be dull and may cause a person to feel nauseated, to vomit, or to have problems with their vision. The pain caused by the headache may increase as the tumor grows. It is also possible that such headaches will feel worse when a person is physically active.
A brain tumor may also cause partial or full seizures. The swelling or shrinking of a tumor may trigger this symptom.
If the tumor is located in the spinal cord, symptoms may include:
- chest pain due to a tumor located in the chest area of the spinal cord. The pain may increase when coughing, sneezing, or lying down.
- erectile dysfunction
- lack of ability to feel changes in temperature
- loss of muscle control
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- numbness or tingling
- pain in the arm, neck, back, or leg caused by tumors in the neck area of the spinal cord
- weakness in the limbs or upper body