Head tumorça: general and specific symptoms

Symptoms of a brain tumor depend on the size, growth rate and location of the tumor which, although it can appear at any age, usually appears after the age of 60.

Normally benign brain tumors, such as meningioma or glioma, grow slowly and do not always need treatment, as the risk of surgery is often greater than the harm caused by the tumor. See what are the main types of brain tumor.

However, when tumors are malignant, cancer cells proliferate rapidly and can reach various regions of the brain. These cancer cells can also arise as metastases from other cancer foci, such as lung or breast cancer.Sometimes these symptoms are similar to those of an aneurysm, but the doctor can tell the difference through imaging tests in the hospital. See the signs of brain aneurysm.

1. General symptoms for all types

Brain tumor, regardless of the region of the brain affected, causes general symptoms such as:

• Headache;
• Vision is blurred and blurry;
• Seizures;
• Nausea and vomiting for no apparent reason;
• Lack of balance;
• Changes in mood and behavior;
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in a part of the body;
• Excessive sleepiness.

However, it is important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by other diseases, such as migraine, multiple sclerosis and stroke. can identify the cause of the symptoms.

2. Symptoms specific to the affected region

In addition to general symptoms, brain tumors can cause specific symptoms that vary depending on the location and size of the tumor:

Brain region affected	Main symptoms
Frontal lobe	Difficulty moving legs or arms; Tingling sensation in the body; Attention difficulty; Loss of ability to smell; Frequently changing mood and sometimes personality.
Parietal lobe	Changes in touch, with difficulty feeling hot or cold; Difficulty naming an object; Difficulty reading or writing; Difficulty distinguishing right side from left side; Loss of motor coordination.
Temporal lobe	Gradual hearing loss; Difficulty understanding what is being said; Memory problems; Decreased sexual interest; Difficulty recognizing familiar faces; Aggressive behavior.
Occipital lobe	Vision changes such as blurred vision or black dots in vision, for example; Difficulty identifying colors; Difficulty reading or writing.
Cerebellum	Difficulty maintaining balance; Loss of ability to coordinate precise movements such as pushing a button; Difficulty walking; Tremors; Nausea.

Symptom intensity varies according to tumor size and cell characteristics, whether malignant or benign. In addition, factors such as age and general he alth status can influence the severity and course of symptoms.

How to confirm the diagnosis

In the presence of one or more symptoms, a neurologist should be consulted so that more specific diagnostic tests are performed, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, because the earlier the tumor is identified, the easier and efficient will be the treatment.

Also, if a nodule is detected in the exam, but it is not clear whether it is malignant or benign, the doctor may order a biopsy of the tumor so that the cells are evaluated in the laboratory, thus being able to determine the best form of treatment. Find out how brain tumor treatment is done.

Who has a higher risk of brain tumor

In most cases, the brain tumor arises without a specific cause, however, there are some factors that seem to increase the incidence of this type of tumor, such as:

• Frequently exposed to radiation, as in radiation therapy to fight cancer;
• Having a family history of brain tumor, or having a family syndrome that increases the risk of tumors.

In addition, having cancer elsewhere in the body can also lead to the development of a brain tumor, as metastases can spread and cause cancer cells to develop in the brain.