Symptoms of brain cancer that need to be watched out for

Symptoms of brain cancer are generally difficult to recognize because they can be very similar to those of other, less severe diseases. That is why many people who have this disease are only diagnosed when they are in the late stages, so it is too late to get brain cancer treatment. Therefore, it is better if you recognize what are the symptoms, signs, and features of brain cancer that may occur, so you can be more vigilant.

What are the symptoms or characteristics of brain cancer that may occur?

Brain cancer occurs when a malignant tumor grows and develops in the brain. In this condition, most people with brain cancer will experience symptoms due to the growth of the tumor.

The symptoms and signs of brain cancer that appear can vary from person to person. This depends on the type of brain tumor, size, location, age, medical history, and various other factors.

However, in general, the symptoms, signs, and characteristics of people affected by or suffering from brain cancer, both of which may appear at an early to late stage, are:

1. Headache

Headache is an early or early symptom that generally arises from brain cancer. This symptom does look like a sign of other minor ailments.

However, the characteristics of headaches due to brain cancer, namely that they occur continuously and tend to get worse over time. In fact, the usual headache medication tends not to work to treat this symptom.

Headaches as a sign of brain cancer also often get worse in the morning, when coughing or straining, or when you are active. These symptoms can sometimes wake you up at night.

However, headaches due to brain cancer are not the only signs that arise. Generally, this symptom is accompanied by other conditions, such as changes in vision.

Therefore, if you experience headaches, especially if they get worse and are accompanied by other symptoms, you should immediately see a doctor. This condition is not a sure sign that you have brain cancer, but it doesn't hurt to know exactly what causes the symptoms.

2. Seizures

Apart from headaches, seizures are another common early feature of brain cancer. Theodore Schwarts, a neurosurgeon at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, says this condition is caused by a tumor that irritates the brain, causing brain nerve cells to work out of control, and causing your limbs to jerk suddenly.

A person suffering from brain cancer can experience a variety of seizure symptoms. The seizure symptom that is felt is not always a jerk. You may experience severe spasms all over the body, a twitch (twitch) in a certain body part, stiffness of one limb, or a sensation of stiffness in one part of the face.

Seizures can also be in the form of changes in sensation (sight, smell, or hearing) without losing consciousness, momentarily dumbfounded, glaring eyes, or other signs that the sufferer is not aware of and even those around him.

3. Weakness and numbness

Other symptoms or features that may occur if you are sick or have brain cancer, namely weakness or numbness in your body. This condition can occur because the tumor interferes with the work of the brain, especially the cerebrum, which controls movement or sensation. Disorders of the work of the brain then cause weakness or numbness, often on one side.

This numbness and weakness can also occur when a malignant (cancer) tumor forms in the brain stem, where the brain connects to the spinal cord. In this condition, you may experience loss of feeling in your arms and / or legs, which usually occurs on both sides of your body.

4. Impaired vision

As previously explained, malignant tumors (cancer) in the brain can cause problems or problems with your vision. This condition can occur when a tumor or brain cancer attacks or is near the optic nerve.

You may experience vision changes, such as double vision, blurred vision, or gradual loss of vision. You may also see white dots or shapes floating in your line of sight, which are known as auras.

However, the symptoms and severity of these vision problems will be different for each sufferer. This depends on the size and type of tumor in the brain.

5. Difficulty speaking

Other characteristics or symptoms that people with brain cancer may experience, namely difficulty speaking, such as stuttering or stuttering, slurred speech, to difficulty pronouncing the name of an object even though it is already on the tip of the tongue. This generally occurs because cancer or a tumor develops in one of the lobes of the brain, the frontal or temporal lobe.

The frontal lobe plays a role in language production or how you express yourself, while the temporal lobe helps you understand what other people are telling you. Having a tumor in one of these areas of the brain makes it difficult for you to speak and understand what other people are saying.

6. Problems with memory or thinking

Brain cancer can cause cognitive impairments, such as difficulty remembering (old memory or new memory), poor concentration, easily confused or dazed, difficulty thinking clearly, and difficulty processing information. As in speech difficulties, this generally occurs because the tumor is located in the front of the brain, the frontal or temporal lobe.

7. Losing balance

Loss of balance and motor function, such as feeling shaky when standing, standing on one side without realizing it, falling frequently, making it difficult to walk, can be signs or symptoms of brain cancer. This occurs because a tumor or cancer is located and develops in your cerebellum.

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, other characteristics of brain cancer can also appear, such as nausea and vomiting, changes in the menstrual cycle (especially in women), fatigue for no apparent reason, and others. If this happens to you, immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause.