Symptoms of a Brain Tumor

Since there are so many different types of brain tumors, the symptoms will vary. But what brain tumors generally have in common is that they take up space and put pressure on surrounding tissue and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). That pressure can lead to these common symptoms:

  • headache
  • nausea or vomiting (usually in the morning)
  • personality changes
  • irritability or depression
  • drowsiness or lethargy

 
When an individual has a brain tumor in the front of the brain (the cerebrum), symptoms may include:

  • seizures
  • vision problems
  • slurred speech
  • paralysis or weakness on half of the body or face
  • drowsiness and/or confusion


When someone has a brain tumor in the brain stem, symptoms may include:

  • clumsiness or difficulty walking
  • respiratory problems
  • double vision or other vision problems
  • paralysis or weakness on half of the body or face

 
When someone has a brain tumor in the back of the brain (the cerebellum, which controls movement and balance), symptoms may include:

  • uncoordinated movement
  • problems walking
  • lack of coordination and balance
  • trouble with fine motor control, including handwriting
  • difficulty swallowing

 
Of course, not everyone with a headache or episodes of clumsiness has a brain tumor. Since the symptoms of a brain tumor can be vague and can be the same as symptoms of other conditions, anyone showing any of these neurological symptoms should be evaluated first by their primary care physician. Your doctor may order further tests or refer you to a neurologist or neurological surgeon for further evaluation.  If you need an evaluation, you may request an appointment using our online form.

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Ronald Piscitello was only 47 years old when his life changed completely — not in an instant, but over the course of a long, confusing year. Today he is a changed man, and his wife and family are grateful to have him back after a frightening...
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Fortunately for Stephanie her tumor was low grade, with a much better prognosis than many other types of gliomas. “When treating brain tumors, we often deal with glioblastoma, which is a more serious matter,” says Dr. Ramakrishna. “But once we saw...
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Where should I go for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme?

Glioblastoma multiforme is a complicated  diagnosis, and it’s important that you be treated at a major medical center where the neuroscience team has experience with these brain tumors. At the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, a world-class team of pre-eminent experts on glioblastoma multiforme evaluates each new cases and develops an individual treatment plan that may include surgery, radiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and chemotherapy. (See Diagnosing and Treating Glioblastoma Multiforme.)

Are there clinical trials for glioblastoma multiforme I could be joining?

Ask your medical team what clinical trials may be appropriate, and find out about clinical trials for brain tumors here at Weill Cornell. You can also check the current list of clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov. Find out more about glioblastoma multiforme.

Our Care Team

  • Chair and Neurosurgeon-in-Chief
  • Margaret and Robert J. Hariri, MD ’87, PhD ’87 Professor of Neurological Surgery
Phone: 212-746-4684
  • Vice Chair for Clinical Research
  • David and Ursel Barnes Professor of Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery
  • Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Otolaryngology
  • Director, Center for Epilepsy and Pituitary Surgery
  • Co-Director, Surgical Neuro-oncology
Phone: 212-746-5620
  • Professor of Radiology in Neurological Surgery
Phone: 212-746-4998
  • Associate Professor, Neurological Surgery
Phone: 718-670-1837
  • Director, Neurosurgical Radiosurgery
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
Phone: 212-746-2438
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
  • Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery
  • Co-director, Weill Cornell Medicine CSF Leak Program
Phone: (718) 670-1837
  • Chief of Neurological Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
  • Professor, Neurological Surgery
  • Director, Brain Metastases Program
  • Co-director, William Rhodes and Louise Tilzer-Rhodes Center for Glioblastoma
Phone: 212-746-1996 (Manhattan) / 718-780-3070 (Brooklyn)
  • Director of Neuro-oncology
  • Director, Brain Tumor Center, Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center
Phone: 646-962-2185
  • Hematologist/oncologist (Brooklyn)
Phone: (347) 694-5035
  • Assistant Attending Neurologist, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Assistant Professor of Neuro-Oncologist
Phone: 646-962-2185

Reviewed by: Rohan Ramakrishna, MD
Last reviewed/last updated: August 2024

Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery 525 East 68 Street, Box 99 New York, NY 10065 Phone: 866-426-7787