Adult brain tumors history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The clinical presentation of various brain tumors is best appreciated by considering the relationship of signs and symptoms to anatomy. General signs and symptoms include headaches; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting; and changes in personality, mood, mental capacity, and concentration. Whether primary, metastatic, malignant, or benign, brain tumors must be differentiated from other space-occupying lesions such as abscesses, arteriovenous malformations, and infarction, which can have a similar clinical presentation. Other clinical presentations of brain tumors include focal cerebral syndromes such as seizures. Seizures are a presenting symptom in approximately 20% of patients with supratentorial brain tumors and may antedate the clinical diagnosis by months to years in patients with slow-growing tumors. Of all patients with brain tumors, 70% with primary parenchymal tumors and 40% with metastatic brain tumors develop seizures at some time during the clinical course.
Signs and Symptoms
- Frequent headaches
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in mood and personality
- Changes in ability to think and learn
- Seizures
Metastatic Brain Tumors
The diagnosis of brain metastases in cancer patients is based on patient history, neurological examination, and diagnostic procedures. Patients may describe headaches, weakness, seizures, sensory defects, or gait problems. Often, family members or friends may notice lethargy, emotional lability, or personality change.