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November 22, 2009
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Patient Discussions: Brain Tumor - Symptoms at Onset of Disease

Brain Tumor - Symptoms at Onset of Disease

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

The symptoms of brain tumor can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Brain Tumor

The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: 65-74 Male (Caregiver)

My dad (73) has been diagnosed with a grade 4 brain tumor. He had his biopsy, and it is the worst form he could have. He had a small dose of radiation therapy, more for quality of life than to ease the swelling. Nothing more can be done for him, and we are still in shock as our dad had no previous symptoms. He was rarely sick. He did have stroke-like symptoms that were diagnosed when he went to the doctor, but as the symptoms got worse, his doctor referred him to the hospital. In his case, he did not suffer with any pain or headaches. So it goes to show, symptoms are not always present. Published: November 24 ::

Comment from: Allyson, 45-54 Female (Patient)

Six years before they discovered my brain tumor, I visited the doctors several times. I had a blood clot to my eye, and they didn’t know why. I was 46 at the time. Then I experienced tightening across my shoulders and shortness of breath. I was getting palpitations and was put under the care of a heart doctor who found a mild swelling of the aorta. After that, I got headaches and dizzy spells. Then, finally, I had a stroke down the left side of my face. My tumor was benign. It was as big as a kiwi fruit and was called a left anterior fossa meningioma cavernous sinus. It was removed with an eight-hour operation five months ago. Now I feel great, apart from still being numb on the site of the operation and having thinning hair. I’m so pleased with the doctors for saving my life; it’s fantastic. Published: November 06 ::

Comment from: Survivor, 35-44 Female (Patient)

With my brain tumor, I had headaches for many, many years, but I thought they were because of job stress and being a single mom, etc. Eventually, they got really bad, and I could hardly see anything out of my right eye. My optometrist had a look and told me to go see a specialist immediately. I was diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized meningioma, which was removed three years ago after a 13-hour operation. I am still blind in one eye, and I experience numbness on the right side of my face. I have learned to live this way, I was told I might end up being paralyzed. Published: November 06 ::

Comment from: Sue, 45-54 Female (Patient)

I am 53 years old and have had Epilepsy since the age of 11 but the medics have been trying many different combinations of drugs to control the seizures throughout my life. It wasn’t until my optician picked up on some visual field loss caused by long term use of Sabril that she recommended that I be put back in contact with a specialist again. By this time, it was possible to have an MRI scan which was previously unavailable. This picked up a tumor on my right temporal lobe area. They are keeping a regular check on it to make sure its not getting larger, but the epilepsy still occurs and I’m too frightened to have the tumor removed as its uncertain what other faculties might be interfered with. Published: September 16 ::

Comment from: wyograbdna, 13-18 Male (Caregiver)

My grandson was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor nine years ago when he was 5. He had an operation, received radiation and chemotherapy, and has done beautifully. He is smart and athletic. He has taken growth hormones. He has had a hearing problem, and two days ago, we found out his "brain is coming out of the hole in his skull" (His father’s words). He will be operated on next week. Published: November 24 ::

Comment from: Louise, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I started having seizures, which I thought were a result of a laparoscopy I had. My doctor thought they were epilepsy, so she sent me for tests. That’s when the brain tumor was found. Published: November 24 ::

Comment from: Snowybrooke, 25-34 Female (Patient)

The symptoms I had with my brain tumor included numbness on the right side of my tongue and then a day later, numbness on the right side of my lips. Within a week, my cheek, nose, eye, and ear on the right side all went numb. I also had slurred speech. Published: October 06 ::

Comment from: Stacey, 35-44 Female (Patient)

I was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. I don't even know if it is cancerous or not yet. Several lesions had everyone scrambling for an MS diagnosis. The second MRI showed the tumor. My head hurts, and I have painful pressure in my ears. I couldn’t remember my dog’s name the other night, and I can’t concentrate on reading or writing anymore unless it is short periods. My short-term memory is bad, but my long-term is still pretty good. Thank God I haven’t had any seizures or stomach upsets. Published: October 06 ::

Comment from: Steve, 55-64 Male (Patient)

I have always had headaches, but they got stronger in the last two months. I thought I was just having a bad toothache and went to see a dentist. I started having trouble remembering words and would have to make one up to cover for what I was talking about. One morning at work I could not remember what I was trying to tell a family I was working with (I am a funeral director/embalmer). I could see what I wanted to say, but I couldn't make the words go together. I left work talking confused and my co-workers and family got me to go to the ER. They did a CAT scan and found a cloud. They did an MRI at a larger hospital the next day and found a tumor on the left side above and in front of my ear, about the size of a golf ball. They don't know how long it has been there, but I am to have surgery two days from now to remove and see if it is cancer or not. Published: August 12 ::


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What causes nausea or vomiting?

There are numerous causes of nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be due to the following:

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