Early signs and symptoms of a brain tumor Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are the early symptoms of a brain tumor Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. — By Beth Sissons — Updated on June 9, 2022Brain tumors can cause both physical and mental symptoms. The symptoms can differ depending on the type, location, and stage of the tumor. Common signs and symptoms of a brain tumor include: headache episodesvision problemsmood changesseizurespersonality changes This article looks at various symptoms of brain tumors, symptoms linked to different types and locations of tumor, and risk factors of each. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms, “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. Signs and symptoms Share on PinterestBrain tumor symptoms are similar regardless of whether they are cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). They may differ depending on the type, location in the brain, and the stage of the tumor. Some of the most common symptoms of a brain tumor include:headache episodesseizureschanges in personalityvision problemsmemory lossmood changesloss of balancenauseafatigueanxiety or depressiondifficulty concentratingspeech problemsfeeling confused or disorientatedloss of coordinationmuscle weaknesstingling or stiffness on one side of the body Primary brain tumors are tumors that begin in the brain. Types of brain tumors and their symptoms In the sections below, we look at several types of brain tumors and their specific symptoms. Meningioma Roughly one-third of primary brain tumors are meningiomas. They are typically benign and grow slowly. They grow from tissue covering the brain and spinal cord and create pressure on these areas. Meningiomas are rare in children and most common in females over the age of 60 years. Symptoms of meningioma can include:headache episodesweakness in an arm or legseizureschanges in personalityvision problems Glioblastoma Glioblastomas are malignant tumors. They can grow quickly and require more intensive treatment. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, healthcare professionals assign a grade to tumors depending on how abnormal the cells they contain are. Grade 1 tumors are the least malignant, and grade 4 are the most malignant. Glioblastomas are grade 4 tumors. Glioblastomas create pressure on the brain, and symptoms can include:nausea and vomitingheadache episodes, which may be more intense in the morningweakness in the body, such as in an arm, a leg, or the facedifficulty balancingproblems with memoryseizures Astrocytoma Astrocytomas are brain tumors that grow from cells called astrocytes, which make up brain tissue. They can range from grades 1–4, with grade 1 tumors growing more slowly than grade 4 tumors. Some early symptoms of astrocytomas can include:headache episodesmemory lossseizureschanges in behavior Craniopharyngioma A craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor that develops close to the pituitary gland. It is much more common in children than in adults. Medulloblastomas and ependymomas are also more common among children. This type of tumor creates pressure on the pituitary gland and optic tract, which is an extension of the optic nerve. This can cause the following symptoms:delays in developmentobesityvision problems due to a swollen optic nervehormone problems Pituitary tumor Pituitary tumors develop in the pituitary gland and affect hormone levels. They tend to be more common in females and make up 9–12% of all primary brain tumors. They grow slowly, though larger tumors can create pressure on surrounding areas of the brain. These tumors can secrete pituitary hormones and cause additional symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, tumors that start in the pituitary gland are almost always noncancerous. Symptoms of pituitary tumors include:headache episodesvision problemschanges in behaviorchanges in hormone levels Metastatic tumor Metastatic brain tumors, or secondary brain tumors, form in other parts of the body where cancer is present and move to the brain through the bloodstream. Metastatic brain tumors present with the same symptoms as primary brain tumors, with the most common symptoms being:headache episodesseizuresshort-term memory losschanges in personality or behaviorweakness on one side of the bodydifficulties with balancing Confusing conditions Is it a brain tumor migraine or something else Symptoms of brain tumors can also be similar to those of other medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Most of the time, a headache does not signal the presence of a brain tumor, and experiencing a headache by itself is typically not a cause for concern. However, signs that a headache could be a symptom of a brain tumor include:persistent headache episodes, particularly if the person has no history of severe headache episodesheadache episodes that increase in intensity over timeheadache episodes that are worse in the morningheadache episodes that wake a person up from sleep Learn more about possible causes of persistent headaches here. Migraine If a person experiences frequent or severe headache episodes, they may have migraine, tension, or cluster headaches. These can also create feelings of nausea. Symptoms of migraine can range from mild to severe, and may include:nausea, which may worsen with activitya throbbing sensation on one side of the headincreased sensitivity to light and soundfacial pain A migraine headache can last anywhere from 4 hours to a few days or even weeks. Read about the possible causes of a headache with nausea here. Tension headache Tension headaches are typically mild to moderate, and symptoms may include:headache episodes that build slowlydull pain on both sides of the headpain that can spread to the neck Cluster headache Cluster headaches cause severe pain and occur in bursts. These episodes can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Symptoms include:pain on one side of the headsudden pain around the eye areaswelling or drooping of the eyefeeling restless or agitatedwatery eyes and nasal congestioneye redness MS MS is a condition that affects the central nervous system. It can produce similar symptoms to those of a brain tumor. Some of the most common symptoms include:difficulty balancingfatiguemood swingsdepressionnumbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legsweakness in the bodyproblems with vision Less common symptoms include seizures, problems with speech, and hearing loss. When to contact a doctor People should contact a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:seizuresweakness, numbness, or tingling in one side of the bodyunexplained vision problemscommunication difficultieschanges in personality or behavior A doctor will take a full medical history and perform a range of neurological tests to determine what is causing the symptoms. For example, they may:run CT scans or MRI scans to provide an image of the brainconduct tests to check balance, vision, and coordination If they locate a tumor in the brain, they may take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to find out what type it is. A person should contact a doctor if they experience severe or frequent headache episodes. The doctor will be able to rule out any underlying causes and suggest lifestyle changes or treatment options. If a brain tumor is present, treatment will depend on the type and stage of the tumor. Options may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to remove or shrink the tumor. Summary People should contact a doctor if they experience any of the symptoms listed above. Many of the symptoms overlap with those of other causes, and may signal another health condition. Tracking symptoms can help a doctor determine a diagnosis. Keeping track of what time and how frequently symptoms occur can also help. If a person does have symptoms that signal a brain tumor, early diagnosis and treatment are important to help prevent the tumor from growing. Last medically reviewed on June 9, 2022Mental HealthMedical Devices / DiagnosticsNeurology / NeurosciencePsychology / Psychiatry 16 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Astrocytoma. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/astrocytoma/Before brain tumor diagnosis: Signs & symptoms. (n.d.).https://braintumor.org/brain-tumor-information/signs-and-symptoms/Brain tumor education. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/about-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-education/Brain tumors. (n.d.).https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Brain-TumorsCluster headaches. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cluster-headaches/Craniopharyngioma. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/craniopharyngioma/Glioblastoma (GBM). (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/glioblastoma-gbm/Meningioma. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/meningioma/Metastatic brain tumors. (2017).https://2knaef3o0jpz4ff42k23tr6l-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/metastatic-brain-tumor.pdfMigraine headaches. (n.d.).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/migraine-headachesMS signs & symptoms. (n.d.).https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-SymptomsPituitary tumors. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/pituitary-tumors/Signs & symptoms. (n.d.).https://www.abta.org/about-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-diagnosis/brain-tumor-signs-symptoms/Symptoms: Migraine. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/symptoms/Types of brain and spinal cord tumors in adults. (2020).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/about/types-of-brain-tumors.htmlWhat are the most common types of brain tumors? (2018).https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2018/november/what-are-the-most-common-types-of-brain-tumorsFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. — By Beth Sissons — Updated on June 9, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about brain stem strokesMedically reviewed by Sachin S. Kapur, MD, MS The brain stem controls several vital body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. A blockage or bleed in the brain stem can…READ MOREWhat to know about brain aneurysmsMedically reviewed by Seunggu Han, MD Brain aneurysms affect 3–5% of people in the U.S. during their lifetime. When they rupture, they can cause a stroke. 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