In modern medicine, a brain tumor refers to an abnormal mass of cells arising within brain tissue or surrounding the brain. It is broadly divided into benign tumors and malignant tumors. Depending on its location, size, and rate of growth, it can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Brain tumor symptoms appear when the tumor itself compresses brain tissue, causes increased intracranial pressure, or interferes with the function of specific brain regions.
Headache, one of the most common symptoms, has characteristics distinct from typical headaches. It is often worse in the morning, gradually worsens in intensity over time, and frequently fails to respond well to analgesics. It can also be aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or exercise. This occurs because pressure inside the brain (intracranial pressure) rises as the tumor grows. Increased intracranial pressure also causes nausea and vomiting, which are particularly severe in the morning and often occur regardless of food intake, leading to potential confusion with gastrointestinal problems.
Visual field defect is another critical symptom. When a tumor directly compresses the optic nerve or causes papilledema—swelling of the optic nerve due to increased intracranial pressure—it can lead to blurred vision, visual field defect where part of the visual field is missing, or diplopia (seeing double). Speech disorders appear when a tumor affects brain regions responsible for language function (such as Broca's area or Wernicke's area), presenting in various forms including slurred speech, difficulty finding words, or inability to comprehend sentences.
In addition, brain tumors can cause a diverse range of severe symptoms, such as motor dysfunction with limb weakness or paralysis, epileptic seizures, cognitive dysfunction including personality changes and memory impairment, and cerebellar dysfunction such as loss of balance or dizziness. If these symptoms persist, it is essential to consult a neurosurgery or neurology specialist and receive an accurate diagnosis through detailed imaging studies such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Early diagnosis and treatment have a decisive impact on prognosis.
