Signs Of Brain Cancer You Shouldn't Ignore!

Brain cancer occurs when cancerous or malignant tumours develop and grow uncontrollably in the brain. In the case of children, cancer usually affects the lower part of the brain, for example, the brain stem or the cerebellum. For adults, it is generally the upper portion of the brain that gets affected. If cancer spreads to other parts or organs of the body, it is called metastatic brain cancer.

Various factors, like medical history, age, and environmental factors determine the extent and severity of cancer.

Signs to watch out for

As with any other form of cancer, early detection of the disease is crucial. For that, you need to be able to identify the initial symptoms of brain cancer. Here is a look at the warning signs that must not be ignored –

• Headaches

We all encounter headaches from time to time, so the symptom does catch that much attention initally. However, one must pay heed to the severity and number of occurrences of headaches. You should also take note of the time of the day when headaches are at their peak. Research states that severe, prolonged headaches which seem to deteriorate early in the morning or during physical activity could be a sign of brain cancer. As the tumour grows in size, the instances of headaches may increase.

• Seizures

The presence of a tumour can cause the brain to shoot off neurons irregularly, leading to involuntary movements or seizures.

• Vision problems

Brain tumour or cancer may impede your ability to see clearly. If you develop sudden changes in vision, like periodic blindness, double vision, or if you are unable to use your peripheral vision, you should seek medical assistance right away. Vision problems could be a sign of a tumour located in the brain stem, temporal lobe, or occipital lobe.

• Numbness

Numbness, prickling or tingling sensation in the extremities – hands, feet, legs, and arms – may be felt if the tumour develops in the brain stem. The loss of feeling may be gradual.

• Changes in personality

Sometimes, tumours in the brain can affect one’s mood and personality. While these changes could be drastic, more often they cause slight changes, like confusion, loss of memory, and an inability to focus or concentrate. These symptoms could be indicative of a tumour developing in the temporal and frontal lobe of the cerebrum.

Most of the time, these signs go unnoticed or are confused with those of other ailments. Proper diagnosis is required to confirm if you have brain cancer. Consult a doctor at the earliest to seek appropriate treatment.