Childhood Brain Tumors Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a brain tumor? |
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| The following are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms vary depending on size and location of tumor. Many symptoms are related to increased pressure in or around the brain. There is no spare space in the skull for anything except the delicate tissues of the brain and its fluid. Any tumor, extra tissue, or fluid can cause pressure on the brain and result in: - increased intracranial pressure (ICP) - caused by extra tissue or fluid in the brain. Pressure may increase because one or more of the ventricles that drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) has been blocked, causing the fluid to be trapped in the brain. Increased ICP can cause:
- headache
- vomiting (usually in the morning)
- nausea
- personality changes
- irritability
- drowsiness
- depression
- decreased cardiac and respiratory function, and eventually coma if not treated
Other symptoms vary depending upon which part of the brain the tumor affects:
- Symptoms of brain tumors in the cerebellum (back of brain), called infratentorial tumors, may include:
- increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
- vomiting (usually occurs in the morning without nausea)
- headache
- uncoordinated muscle movements
- problems walking (ataxia)
- Brain tumors in the brainstem (middle of brain) may compress nerves and cause symptoms that may include:
- seizures
- endocrine problems (diabetes and/or hormone regulation)
- visual changes or double vision
- headaches
- paralysis of nerves/muscles of the face, or half of the body
- respiratory changes
- increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
- clumsy, uncoordinated walk
- hearing loss
- personality changes
- Symptoms of brain tumors in the lower part of the brain often press on the cerebellum. Symptoms may include:
- problems walking (ataxia)
- increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
- loss of control of the nerves/muscles of the face
- Symptoms of brain tumors in the cerebrum (front of brain), called supratentorial tumors, may include:
- seizures
- visual changes
- slurred speech
- paralysis or weakness on half of the body or face
- increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
- drowsiness and/or confusion
- personality changes/impaired judgment
- short-term memory loss
- gait disturbances
- communication problems
- Symptoms of brain tumors in the optic pathway (eyes) may include:
- visual problems
- puberty or growth abnormalities
- Symptoms of tumors in the spine (usually spreading from a tumor at a higher point on the spinal cord) may include:
- bowel or bladder dysfunction
- back pain
- focal weakness or sensory loss, depending on where in the spine the disease is located
The symptoms of a brain tumor may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis. |
