Signs & Symptoms of Brain Cancer Metastasis
Brain cancer metastasis (commonly called metastatic or secondary brain cancer) occurs when cancerous cells from elsewhere in the body metastasize, or migrate, to the brain and form new tumors. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, approximately 100,000 cancer patients are diagnosed with brain cancer metastasis annually. Signs and symptoms of brain cancer metastasis are varied and can mimic other conditions.
Headache
Headaches are the most common symptom of brain cancer metastasis, occurring in approximately half of all diagnosed patients, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Headaches can result from brain tumors compressing brain tissue, obstructing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, or causing edema (swelling), which puts pressure on blood vessels and nerves. The headache may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, and is often more common in the morning but may come and go throughout the day. Headaches with brain cancer metastasis usually get progressively worse as the tumor grows.
Seizures
Seizures occur when a brain tumor affects the normal flow of electrical impulses within the brain. Seizures of this nature can be minor, involving smells or tastes that are abnormal, speech problems or a feeling of numbness or tingling. Major seizures can produce uncontrollable muscle jerking, convulsions or loss of consciousness.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness occurs when a brain tumor disrupts the part of the brain that controls the muscles. Weakness is typically localized to a specific area of the body, rather than general muscle weakness.
Motor Difficulties
Motor difficulties are caused by increased pressure in the brain and include partial paralysis, difficulty walking or an abnormal gait, clumsiness, balance problems and vision or speech problems.
Behavioral or Emotional Changes
Behavioral or emotional changes occur in brain cancer metastasis due to edema and increased pressure. Patients may undergo behavioral changes like impaired judgment or reasoning, poor memory, confusion, problems concentrating, personality changes, quick mood changes and difficulty controlling their emotions.
Other Signs and Symptoms
Other localized symptoms include listlessness, dizziness, sleepiness, facial weakness or paralysis, hearing problems or hearing loss, neck and back pain, and loss of sensation or control of the bowel or bladder. In brain cancer metastasis, a person's symptoms are affected by where the tumor or tumors are located in the brain.
Tags: cancer metastasis, brain cancer, brain cancer metastasis, Signs Symptoms, brain cancer, brain cancer metastasis, brain tumor
