The doctor warned which symptoms should send you to the GP as soon as possible (Image: GETTY)
Malignant brain tumours can spread quickly, but early detection and intervention could significantly change the prognosis. Romina Dibra MD has highlighted five specific warning signs, including how to discern when a headache might be indicative of something more severe.
Headaches
The expert cautioned that if your headache is accompanied by other symptoms, it could suggest that it’s not just an ordinary ache. Such symptoms include nausea, nocturnal awakenings due to pain, visual disturbances like blind spots or flashes of light, and headaches that progressively worsen over several weeks.
:
Seizures
This alarming symptom should prompt an immediate GP visit. While it could indicate a variety of health problems, the expert noted that up to 80% of individuals with brain tumours experience seizures or fits. These can range from a subtle hand twitching or jerking to full-body effects.
Drowsiness
The escalated pressure in your skull caused by a tumour can disrupt the brain’s blood supply, potentially leading to drowsiness or even loss of consciousness at times.
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Romina emphasised that this symptom often accompanies others: “It is rare for people with a brain tumour to suffer from sickness on its own.”
However, she specifically cautioned those who feel nauseous, particularly when making sudden movements.
Don’t miss… [WARNING]
Vision problems
Brain tumours can trigger a variety of vision problems, including loss of peripheral vision, seeing floating shapes, or experiencing entirely blurred vision.
Symptoms of brain tumours can vary greatly from person to person, largely depending on the tumour’s location. Some unique warning signs based on its position include:.
- Issues with movement and personality changes if it’s in the frontal lobe
- Challenges with speech, reading or writing if it’s in the parietal lobe
- Short-term memory loss or hearing difficulties if it’s in the temporal lobe
- Vision problems like difficulty identifying size and colours if it’s in the occipital lobe
Many early symptoms of brain tumours may seem insignificant individually, so how do you know when it’s time to consult a doctor?
Romina said: “If you experience any of the above symptoms, get in touch with your GP. Particularly, if you are suffering from a headache that feels unusual or that progressively worsens, seek medical advice. Your GP will invite you for an examination and then decide whether to refer you for further tests or to a neurologist.”
Each year in the UK, over 12,000 individuals are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour, although only a fraction of these are cancerous. Despite this, cancerous brain tumours are the most lethal form of cancer for those under 40, taking more than 5,400 lives annually according to .