Brain tumors can be a nuisance, or they can turn into a deadly cancer. It is important that you know the symptoms considering some cancers can be fast moving. Every brain cancer patient is different because every brain and every tumor is different. There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, the most common being primary brain tumors called gliomas. Cancer can also occur in the brain from cancer cells being spread from cancer somewhere else in the body.

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms can go unnoticed or can seem like symptoms of other illnesses. To top it off, many symptoms of brain cancer are caused by the pressure build up from the tumor growth, making it hard to figure out what you are experiencing without the help of a professional. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should let your doctor know.

Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic neuroma arises from cells that form a protective sheath around nerve fibers. It typically grows around the eighth cranial nerve, but they can also be found around other cranial or spinal nerves.

Symptoms

• Hearing loss in one ear
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Tingling or numbness in the face
• Walking and balance problems
• Lack of coordination

Grade I – Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that support nerve cells. Astrocytoma is a type of glioma that develops in these cells. Grade I tumors in these cells are called pilocytic astrocytoma or juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA). These tumors are slow growing with well-defined borders. These tumors grow in the cerebrum, optic nerve pathways, brain stem, and cerebellum. These types of tumors are the most common in children and teens and account for 2% of all brain tumors.

Symptoms

• Headache, particularly in the morning or made better by vomiting
• Severe or frequent vomiting without other signs of gastrointestinal illness
• Vision problems, such as double vision, blurry vision or loss of vision
• Difficulty walking or balancing
• Seizures
• Weight gain or loss
• Premature puberty
• Clumsiness
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Changes in behavior

Grade II – Low-grade Astrocytoma

Grade II low-grade astrocytoma tumors are slow growing, rarely spread to other parts of the central nervous system, and have borders that are not well defined. This type of tumor is more common among men and women who are in their 20s through 50s. The most common symptoms for these tumors are seizures and headaches.

Grade III – Anaplastic Astrocytoma

An anaplastic astrocytoma is considered a grade III tumor. These tumors grow faster than grade II astrocytoma and spread to neighboring tissue. These tumors aren’t uniform in appearance and are common in people in between ages of 30 and 50 being more common in men than women. The symptoms can vary depending on where the tumor grows.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Drowsiness
• Vomiting
• Personality changes
• Seizures
• Vision problems
• Weakness
• Lack in coordination
• Memory problems
• Paralysis
• Hormone imbalances

Grade IV – Glioblastoma (GBM)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadliest of the malignant primary brain tumors in adults. GBM is a type of astrocytoma and being a grade IV it is the most serious. GBM develops mainly in the cerebral hemisphere but can develop in other parts of the brain, spinal cord, or brainstem. This type of tumor is more common in the elderly and more common in men. The average survival rate of this type of cancer is 15 months with a five-year survival rate of 4%. When symptoms start to appear, they usually get worse quickly.

Symptoms

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches, usually worse in the morning
• Weakness
• Sensory changes
• Memory issues

Chordoma

Chordoma is a rare and low-grade type of cancer that appears at the sacrum which is near the lower tip of the spine or at the base of the skill. This type of cancer invades the bone and soft tissues, but it rarely the base of the skull. This cancer can cause hydrocephalus, which is water on the brain, by blocking the ventricles. This type of cancer can also spread and reoccur after treatment.

Symptoms

• Double vision
• Headaches
• Lower back pain
• Breathing problems
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Facial pain
• Bladder issues
• Abnormal eye movements
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Personality changes

CNS Lymphoma

CNS lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of small organs called lymph nodes and vessels that carry a fluid called lymph throughout the body. The fluid supplies lymphocytes that fight disease and infection. CNS lymphoma is a very aggressive form of cancer and usually involves multiple tumors throughout the central nervous system. CNS lymphoma is more common in people who have immune systems that are compromised. CNS lymphoma is most common in people between the ages of 60 and 80, but it is becoming more common in young adults.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Partial paralysis on one side of the body
• Seizures
• Cognitive or speech disorders
• Vision problems

Craniopharyngioma

Craniopharyngioma is often accompanied by a cyst and originates in cells that are left over from early fetal development. This type of cancer happens in children as well as adults in their 50s and 60s. Luckily, this cancer tends to be low grade with simple and effective treatment options like surgery or radiation.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Visual changes
• Weight gain
• Delayed development in children

Brain Stem Glioma

Brain stem glioma is named because it occurs at the base of the blame. It is most common in children between the ages of three and ten, but it can happen in adults. Symptoms can develop slowly and subtly making them hard to notice for months. But sometimes, these symptoms can arise abruptly. If the symptoms are sudden, this is often an indication of cancer that is rapidly growing.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Speech or balance abnormalities
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weakness or numbness of the arms or legs
• Facial weakness
• Double vision

Ependymoma

Cells that line the passageways in the brain where cerebrospinal fluid is produced and stored are called ependyma, which is where ependymal tumors begin. This type of cancer is usually in one area of the brain and can be slow or fast growing. Ependymoma is more common in children, though adults in their 40s and 50s can also develop this cancer — development of ependymoma peaks at age five and then again at 34.

Symptoms

• Severe headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty walking
• Fatigue and sleepiness
• Problems with coordination
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Visual problems

Mixed Glioma

Mixed glioma is cancer made of two or more types of glioma cells. It is common among people between the ages of 20 and 50, accounting for 1% of all of the brain tumors. Mixed glioma is either a grade II or a grade III cancer, grade II being slow growing and least likely to spread while grade II grows fast and is more likely to spread.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Weakness or paralysis
• Nausea and vomiting
• Visual problems
• Behavioral and cognitive changes

Optic Nerve Glioma

Optic nerve glioma got its name for its location on or near the nerve pathways between the eyes and the brain. This cancer grows slowly and is most common in infants and children, but adults can develop it, too.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Progressive loss of vision
• Double vision
• Change in appetite
• Hormone imbalance

Subependymoma

Subependymoma is a variation of ependymoma forming in the ependymal cells. This cancer is slow growing and usually located on the fourth and lateral ventricles. This type of cancer is also more common in men than women.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Speech issues
• Seizures
• Vision loss
• Memory problems
• Weakness in arms and legs
• Personality changes

Meningioma

The layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord are called meninges, which is where meningioma tumors form. The World Health Organization categorizes meningioma into three different grades.

Grade I- Benign Meningioma

Grade II- Atypical Meningioma

Grade III- Malignant Meningioma

Most meningioma cases are considered nonmalignant or low-grade tumors. However, some of these brain tumors can cause disability and can even be life-threatening. These tumors mostly grow slowly, but they can grow rapidly or experience growth spurts. This type of cancer is twice as common in women as it is in men and accounts for 34% of all primary brain tumors. This type of cancer can come with no symptoms which is why it is important to keep up with your annual checkups.

Symptoms

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vision changes
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Twitches, jerks, or spasms
• Sensory changes
• Loss of awareness
• Weakness in limbs
• Difficulty swallowing

Metastatic Brain Tumors

Metastatic brain tumors, also known as a secondary brain tumor, is one that starts as cancer in another part of the body. Cancer cells can be carried by blood, lymphatic fluid, or from adjacent tissue. Where cancer appears first is known as the primary cancer. Metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of brain tumor, and there has been an increase in lesions because so many people are surviving cancer for long periods. Primary cancers are usually in:

• Lung
• Breast
• Colon
• Kidney
• Skin

Symptoms

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Behavioral changes
• Cognitive changes
• Coordination problems
• Weakness or numbness
• Vision and speech issues

Oligodendroglioma

Oligodendroglioma develops in glial cells called oligodendrocytes. It frequently occurs in the frontal or temporal lobes and may be associated with 1p or 19q chromosomal losses. This type of cancer can grow slowly or rapidly, occurring mostly in adults between the ages of 20 and 40.  

Symptoms

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Weakness or paralysis
• General changes in brain function
• Vertigo
• Nausea or vomiting
• Change in senses

Pituitary Tumors

The pituitary gland is what produces hormones and affects growth and the functions of other glands. Tumors can form and either secrete abnormally high amounts of hormones and cause symptoms, or they can not secrete hormones but cause symptoms from their growth.

Symptoms

• Headache
• Depression
• Vision loss
• Nausea or vomiting
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Cessation of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
• Leaking of fluid from the breasts (galactorrhea)
• Hair growth in women
• Impotence in men
• Abnormal growth of the hands and feet
• Abnormal weight gain

Primitive Neuroectodermal (PNET)

There are several tumor types in the primitive neuroectodermal category.

• Pineoblastoma
• Medulloblastoma
• Cerebral cortex PNET

This type of cancer is highly aggressive and tens to spread throughout the central nervous system. The tumors grow from undeveloped brain cells and commonly includes cysts and calcium deposits and tend to be large.

Symptoms

• Weakness or change in sensation on one side of the body
• Morning headache or headache that goes away after vomiting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Unusual sleepiness or lethargy
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain