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What are the symptoms of brain cancer?

Brain cancer symptoms vary based on tumor location and growth rate, and can include severe headaches, nausea, weakness, seizures, personality changes, vision problems, memory issues, difficulty controlling movement, and balance loss.

The symptoms of brain cancer depend on where the tumour is in the brain, the size of the tumour and how quickly it is growing.

Some common symptoms of brain cancer include:[1][2]

  • severe headaches
  • nausea and vomiting
  • weakness in parts of the body, including the arms, legs or face
  • seizures
  • changes in thinking or personality
  • disturbed vision, hearing, speech, or sense of taste or smell
  • difficulty with memory and concentration
  • difficulty controlling movement (ataxia)
  • loss of balance.

There are a number of conditions that may cause these symptoms, not just brain cancer. If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is important that they are discussed with a doctor.

References

  1. https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-brain-tumour-booklet
  2. https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer
  3. https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/brain-gliomas-patient.pdf

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (US) (2016). NCCN guidelines for patients: brain cancer – gliomas, version 1.2016 https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients/guidelines-for-patients-details?patientGuidelineId=5

Cancer Council Australia (2020). Brain cancer https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/brain-cancer

American Cancer Society (2020). Brain and spinal cord tumors in adults https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html 

Last updated 18 September 2024
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