Brain tumour, benign (non-cancerous)
Symptoms
The symptoms of a benign or low-grade brain tumour depend on its size and where it is in the brain. Some slow-growing tumours may not cause any symptoms at first.
When symptoms do occur, it's because the brain tumour is putting pressure on the brain and/or preventing a specific area of the brain from functioning properly.
Signs of increased pressure on the brain
Common symptoms of increased pressure within the skull include:
- severe, persistent Headaches which are typically worse in the morning or when bending over or coughing
- persistent nausea and vomiting
- drowsiness
- vision problems such asblurred vision, floaters andloss of vision that may come and go
- seizures (fits) which may affect the whole body or just involve a twitch in one area
Symptoms caused by the position of the tumour
Different areas of the brain control different functions, so the symptoms caused by a brain tumour will depend on where the tumour is located. For example, a tumour affecting:
- the frontal lobe may cause changes in personality, weakness in one side of the body and loss of smell
- the temporal lobe may cause forgetfulness ,language problems ( aphasia ) and seizures
- the parietal lobe may cause aphasia andnumbness or weakness in one side of the body
- the occipital lobe may cause loss of vision on one side
- the cerebellum may cause a loss of co-ordination, flickering of the eyes, vomiting and a stiff neck
- the brain stem may cause unsteadiness and difficulty walking, facial weakness, double vision and difficulty speaking ( dysarthria ) and swallowing ( dysphagia )
When to see your GP
It's important to see a doctor if you develop persistent and worrying symptoms that may be caused by a brain tumour. While it's unlikely that you have a tumour, it's best to be sure by getting a proper diagnosis.
If your GP is unable to identify a more likely cause of your symptoms, they may refer you to a neurologist for further assessment and tests, such as a brain scan.
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Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 20 Apr 2015
Introduction
A benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour is a mass of cells that grows slowly in the brain. It usually stays in one place and does not spread.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a benign or low-grade brain tumour depend on its size and where it is in the brain. Some slow-growing tumours may not cause any symptoms at first.
Causes
The cause of most benign brain tumours is unknown, although a small number of cases have been linked to certain genes or previous cancer treatment.
Diagnosis
See your GP if you develop any of the symptoms of a benign brain tumour, such as a persistent and severe headache.
Treatment
Most benign tumours are removed with surgery and do not normally come back.
Recover and care after brain tumor
After being treated for a brain tumour, you may need additional care to monitor and treat any further problems.
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