It can be frightening to think about getting a brain tumour. But, recognising the early symptoms can lead to faster diagnosis and hopefully more treatment options.
While symptoms can vary depending on the tumour’s size, location, and growth rate, knowing what to look out for is helpful.
Here we look at some of the possible early symptoms of a brain tumour.
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Brain tumour early symptoms
Brain tumour symptoms often develop gradually and can be mistaken for other common conditions.
But, if these symptoms won’t go away or are getting worse, it’s important to take them seriously.
Some early signs to look out for include:
- Headaches – These may feel different from usual headaches. They could happen more often and feel more severe. You might also find that they don’t get better with painkillers and are made worse by straining, coughing or bending over. And, they could feel worse in the morning.
- Changes in vision – Blurred vision, double vision, a greying out when you stand up, or even loss of sight in one part of your field of view can be warning signs of a brain tumour.
- Nausea or vomiting – Feeling sick without an obvious cause, especially in the morning, can sometimes be linked to increased pressure in the brain. This could also be accompanied by dizziness.
- Seizures or ‘fits’ – Experiencing a seizure for the first time is always a reason to see a doctor. It can be a sign of a neurological issue, including a brain tumour.
- Cognitive and personality changes – Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, or noticeable changes in mood and personality can be early symptoms of a brain tumour.
- Weakness or numbness – If you notice weakness, numbness, or tingling in one side of your body, this could be linked to a tumour affecting the brain’s control over movement.
- Difficulty with balance and coordination – Feeling unusually unsteady, dizzy, or struggling with coordination could be a symptom of a brain tumour. It can lead to toddlers and young children stopping walking and starting to crawl again.
- Speech difficulties – Struggling to find words, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding language may be linked to a brain tumour.
- Loss of taste or smell – A brain tumour can affect certain parts of the brain that are responsible for taste and smell. This could mean a loss of these senses. But, this is rare.
- Tiredness or fatigue – Tiredness is a common symptom of a brain tumour. Feeling tired at different times of the day and having inconsistent sleeping patterns might be a sign of a brain tumour.
How are brain tumours diagnosed?
If you or a loved one are experiencing brain tumour symptoms, a doctor will typically begin by taking a full medical history and running some tests.
If they think you might have a brain tumour, they may refer you for further tests. These could include:
- MRI or CT scans – These imaging tests provide detailed pictures of the brain to help diagnose brain tumours.
- Neurological tests – Testing balance, coordination, reflexes, a sense of feeling, and awareness and understanding can help determine if the brain is affected.
- Biopsy – If a brain tumour is discovered, a small tissue sample may be taken. This helps determine what type of tumour it is and its grade (whether it’s benign or cancerous).
Some brain tumours are diagnosed through eye tests. Eye tests aren’t typically used as a way to check if someone has a brain tumour. But, opticians sometimes discover brain tumours during routine eye tests by seeing pressure on the optic nerve or swelling of the optic disc.
What to do if you think you have a brain tumour
If you’re experiencing symptoms that concern you, it’s important not to panic. Many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions.
But, if they carry on, change, or get worse, make an appointment with your doctor. Diagnosing a brain tumour early might make a difference in treatment options and outcomes.
And, even if it isn’t a brain tumour, it’s good to understand the cause of your symptoms.
Here are some tips for your doctor’s appointment:
- Write down all your questions – This makes sure that you don’t forget anything you want to ask about.
- Keep a symptom diary – Tracking when symptoms occur, their severity, and any triggers can be helpful for your doctor.
- Ask about brain tumours – Sometimes doctors think about more common causes of symptoms. So, you can ask your doctor about brain tumours directly.
- Bring support – If possible, take a friend or family member to your appointment to help with note-taking and emotional support.
- Back yourself – If you feel your concerns aren’t being taken seriously, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.
If it’s an emergency, don’t wait for a doctor’s appointment. Go to A&E if you can. If you can’t do that, you can phone 999.
Also, if you’re waiting to see your GP, you can book an eye test in the meantime. Opticians can see some signs of brain tumours during tests, so this might be useful.
Know the early symptoms of brain tumours
A brain tumour diagnosis is life-changing, but early detection and the right support can make a difference.
If you’re worried, speak to a medical professional. You’re not alone—there is help available.
If you’d like to check your symptoms, you can visit our Better Safe Than Tumour site.
And, to learn more about brain tumour symptoms, click the button below: