Headaches and epileptic seizures: these are the two main symptoms of brain cancer, a pathology that is difficult to diagnose because the signs appear late and are not specific.
- Brain cancers are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are nonspecific and usually appear late.
- Headaches are the first symptom that a brain tumor can cause.
- Epileptic seizures or convulsions are the second symptom, which can occur with other disorders such as those of balance, vision, speech, etc.
Next to 5,900 new people suffering from “central nervous system” tumors were diagnosed in 2018 in France, which includes tumors present in the brainstem, the cerebellum, the spinal cord but also the brain. The latter, also called brain tumors, are distinguished by their location, the type of tumor and its aggressiveness. Thus, as indicated in the League against cancerthere are therefore several types of brain cancers: glioblastoma, medulloblastomas, germinomas, etc.
Number 1 Symptoms of Brain Cancer: Headaches
Brain cancers are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are nonspecific and usually appear late, when the tumor is several centimeters large. The bigger it gets, the more the symptoms increase.
Headaches are the first symptom that a brain tumor can cause, regardless of its type. This is due to the volume of the tumor which, as it grows, increases the pressure in the skull. According to the Cancer Research Foundation, These headaches often appear in the morning.
At the same time, the patient may also suffer:
- nausea and/or vomiting;
- a physical and psychological slowdown;
- muscle weakness;
- difficulty speaking;
- visual discomfort.
Brain cancer: epileptic seizures are another warning sign
Brain tumors can also cause seizures or convulsions,”sometimes from the very early stages of the disease or later”, accompanied by a loss of consciousness. The patient may also present various disorders such as those of balance, vision, speech, hearing, memory as well as disturbances in learning or behavior or even partial paralysis.
These two main symptoms manifest differently depending on the patient and the brain tumor they have. But it can also be due to another neurological condition. If you notice these signs, it is best to consult your doctor who will prescribe the tests to be carried out – often magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – to make the diagnosis.
This year, National Brain Cancer Day will take place on December 2. The opportunity to raise awareness among the general public about this disease and to make its main symptoms known.
