Some of the possible symptoms of a brain tumor are:
- Convulsions and fainting;
- Headache;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Somnolence;
- Changes in vision (vision loss, double vision, light spots);
- Changes in speech (cagueira, loss of speech);
- Weakness or numbness in any upper or lower limb;
- Change in mental status (confusion, restlessness, memory loss);
- Amnesia;
- Imbalance, dizziness;
- Changes in cranial nerves;
- Changes in swallowing;
- Involuntary movements;
- Mood changes (irritability, depression).
The symptoms of brain tumor are related to the tumor growth and location, which can invade or compress structures of the brain.
However, it is important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by several other conditions, so the presence of them does not necessarily indicate a brain tumor.
For example, a Headache can have many causes and only the minority of them is related to a serious neurological disease.
In general, when the headache is caused by a tumor in the brain, it has a recent onset and progressively worsens, and is often associated with other signs and symptoms.
Sudden neurological symptoms are usually related to a vascular disease, such as "stroke". The brain tumors tend to cause symptoms with progressive worsening.
O diagnosis of a tumor in the brain is done through the clinical history, neurological examination and complementary exams, such as Magnetic Resonance, Computed Tomography, and Arteriography of cerebral vessels. The biopsy defines the diagnosis.
In the presence of one or more of the above symptoms, a physician neurologist.
