More than 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour annually, with approximately half of these tumours being cancerous, according to the NHS. The Brain Tumour Charity has highlighted that cancerous brain tumours are the most lethal form of cancer for children and adults under 40, causing over 5,300 deaths each year in the UK.
Grade 1 or 2 brain tumours, often labelled as benign, tend to develop slowly and are less likely to recur post-treatment. However, malignant tumours, grade 3 or 4, can grow rapidly, making early detection vital.
Romina Dibra MD, an expert at myTomorrows, a global healthtech firm specialising in clinical trial discovery and access, has offered her insights on the key warning signs of brain tumours, including common symptoms and how to identify them early, equipping you with the knowledge to stay informed and proactive about your health.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?
Brain tumours can trigger a wide array of symptoms depending on their location within the skull and brain.
As the skull is composed of bone, a growing tumour will increase the pressure inside the skull – this is referred to as intracranial pressure. According to the NHS and Cancer Research UK, it may cause symptoms such as:
Headaches
Headaches are a very common symptom of brain tumours.
While headaches alone are unlikely to indicate a brain tumour, they may be a cause for concern when:
paired with feeling or being sick
they wake you up during the night.
they come with eye problems such as blind spots or flashes of light
they get progressively worse over a few weeks
Seizures
These affect up to 80% of those suffering from a brain tumour, may manifest through twitching or jerking of your limbs (hands, arms or legs), or may impact your whole body.
Drowsiness
The increased pressure on the skull can lower the blood supply to the brain, causing drowsiness or even loss of consciousness.
Persistent nausea or vomiting
This may also be experienced, especially with sudden movements. However, it is rare for people with a brain tumour to suffer from sickness alone.
Vision problems
Vision problems can also occur, including irregular vision, a loss of peripheral vision, blurred vision and floating shapes.
Symptoms due to the position of the tumour
Depending on their position in the brain, brain tumours can present different symptoms. The main four areas are the four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital).
The frontal lobe controls movement and impacts personality. A tumour here may trigger walking difficulties, vision or speech problems, weakness on one side or unexpected personality changes.
The parietal lobe processes sensory information and helps us recognise objects. A tumour in the parietal lobe might lead to difficulties with speech, reading or writing.
The temporal lobe, responsible for sound processing and memory storage, can cause short-term memory loss or hearing difficulties if a tumour is present. The occipital lobe, which processes visual information, may result in vision changes or difficulty identifying colour or size due to a brain tumour.
When to see a GP
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your GP, especially if you have an unusual or worsening headache. Your GP will examine you and decide whether to refer you for further tests or to a neurologist.
How are brain tumours treated?
Brain tumour treatment depends on the grade, location, progression, and your overall health. Steroids are often prescribed post-diagnosis to reduce swelling and skull pressure.
Anti-epileptic medicines may be provided for seizures. Surgery is commonly performed to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
If full extraction isn’t feasible, additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be necessary to treat any remaining abnormal cells. Treatment for benign tumours is often successful, with a full recovery more likely.