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Brain Cancer
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Brain Cancer signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Brain and spinal cord tumors can cause many different symptoms depending on their location. New, progressive, or unusual neurologic changes should be assessed.
Brain tumors occur across the lifespan and are among the more common solid tumors in children. In teens and young adults, symptoms can be mistaken for migraines, stress, or routine illness; a changing pattern matters.
• Previous radiation to the head
• Rare inherited syndromes such as neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Increasing age for some tumor types
• Most brain tumors have no known preventable cause
• Previous radiation to the head
• Rare inherited syndromes such as neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Increasing age for some tumor types
• Most brain tumors have no known preventable cause
• New or worsening headaches, especially with nausea or vomiting
• A first seizure or a change in known seizures
• New weakness, numbness, balance, speech, or vision changes
• Personality, memory, thinking, or behavior changes
• Unusual drowsiness or persistent vomiting
Seek urgent care for a first seizure, sudden weakness, severe confusion, or a sudden “worst” headache. Make a prompt appointment for progressive headaches or neurologic changes.
• New or worsening headaches, especially with nausea or vomiting
• A first seizure or a change in known seizures
• New weakness, numbness, balance, speech, or vision changes
• Personality, memory, thinking, or behavior changes
• Unusual drowsiness or persistent vomiting
Seek urgent care for a first seizure, sudden weakness, severe confusion, or a sudden “worst” headache. Make a prompt appointment for progressive headaches or neurologic changes.
There is no routine brain tumor screening for people at average risk. People with certain inherited syndromes may need a specialist-designed surveillance plan.
• Neurologic and eye examination
• MRI of the brain, often with contrast
• CT in some urgent situations
• Biopsy or surgery when safe and needed to identify tumor type
• Molecular testing of tumor tissue
There is no routine brain tumor screening for people at average risk. People with certain inherited syndromes may need a specialist-designed surveillance plan.
• Neurologic and eye examination
• MRI of the brain, often with contrast
• CT in some urgent situations
• Biopsy or surgery when safe and needed to identify tumor type
• Molecular testing of tumor tissue
• Does this symptom pattern need brain imaging?
• Which symptoms require emergency care?
• Should I see a neurologist or neuro-oncology team?
• If a mass is found, how will the exact type be determined?
• Does this symptom pattern need brain imaging?
• Which symptoms require emergency care?
• Should I see a neurologist or neuro-oncology team?
• If a mass is found, how will the exact type be determined?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/brain
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/brain
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults.html
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