How do I know if I have a brain tumor?

It’s Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and according to the National Brain Tumor Society, more than 93,000 Americans will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis this year.  

If you have a brain tumor, it’s important to get treatment as soon as you can. While nearly three-quarters of brain tumors are benign, or noncancerous, according to the National Brain Tumor Society, that still means another quarter are cancerous. And, benign brain tumors can still cause uncomfortable symptoms. 

One aggressive type of brain cancer is glioblastoma, and getting this treated early, before it has time to spread further, makes a big difference.  

Symptoms of brain tumors    

Brain tumor symptoms are different depending on where in the brain the tumor is located.  

Specialists can sometimes estimate where a tumor is based on how the symptoms are presenting; for example, whether it’s a brain or spine tumor. However, the exact location will be pinpointed using imaging.  

People suffering from a stroke may experience sudden symptoms, while a brain tumor could bring about symptoms gradually. With a stroke, it’s important to get medical treatment right away. Stroke symptoms include face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty.  

What to do 

If someone has minor symptoms and suspects a brain tumor, they can make an appointment with their primary care provider, who will evaluate the problem and can then order imaging. For serious symptoms, people can go to an urgent care facility or the emergency room.  

Usually, people with brain tumors need to get them surgically removed. If the tumor is cancerous, the person will then move on to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. 

Our team at TidalHealth Neurosurgery works with the team at the TidalHealth Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Salisbury and Ocean Pines, so that if you do have a malignant brain tumor, you can get the treatment you need.