Unusual Headaches May Signal Brain Tumor, Doctors Warn

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to neurosurgeons Walavan Sivakumar, M.D., and Rohan Ramakrishna, M.D., the number-one symptom of a brain tumor is an unusual headache that is different in severity or location from a person's typical headaches and continues to worsen over time. They advise seeking immediate medical attention if the headache is accompanied by other neurological symptoms like confusion, speech changes, or weakness on one side of the body. A first-time seizure in an adult should also prompt an evaluation for a potential brain tumor.

Why it matters

Brain tumors, while relatively rare, can be serious and life-threatening if not detected and treated early. Knowing the key warning signs, like an unusual and worsening headache, can help people seek prompt medical care and increase their chances of a positive outcome.

The details

Metastatic brain tumors, which spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere in the body, are about 50% more common than primary brain tumors that originate in the brain itself. Regardless of the tumor's origin, the experts agree that an unusual headache that continues to worsen over time is the number-one symptom that should prompt an immediate call to a doctor. They say the headache needs to be clearly different from a person's prior headaches in terms of severity or location, and it should not respond to treatments that typically work.

• The experts say a first-time seizure in an adult should also prompt an immediate evaluation for a potential brain tumor.

What they’re saying

What’s next

If a doctor suspects a brain tumor based on the patient's symptoms, the first step would likely be an MRI scan of the brain, followed by the appropriate treatment.