What Does a Brain Tumor Feel Like?

What does a brain tumor feel like? It puts pressure on the brain, which can cause a range of symptoms, including headaches, cognitive difficulties, and trouble walking.

According to the National Cancer Institute's SEER Program, there were approximately 24,740 new cases of brain and nervous system cancer in 2026. They contributed to 1.2% of all new cases. They also caused an estimated 18,350 deaths, or around 2.9% of all cancer deaths.

While it isn't the most common type, brain cancer can be one of the most devastating. Knowing what to look for helps with early identification and treatment.

What Brain Tumors Are

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue. There are over 100 different types, and not all lead to brain cancer.

The main problem is known as a "mass effect." The tumors grow and take up room in the skull, causing them to:

• Invade and destroy brain tissue
• Put pressure on healthy tissues
• Increase intracranial pressure
• Create fluid accumulation
• Block the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid

What Does a Brain Tumor Feel Like?

Only the brain lining has pain receptors, so you won't feel pain until it reaches them, and you may feel pain then.

What does a brain tumor feel like? The way to know is to look for brain tumor symptoms. They affect areas such as balance, mood, and cognition.

Headaches

Brain tumors crowd your skull, and this can lead to headaches. They're one of the most obvious signs of a brain tumor.

They're most painful when you wake up in the morning and get better throughout the day. It's a dull, throbbing ache, similar to a tension headache.

These headaches linger and don't go away with pain medications.

Nausea or Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can accompany headaches with brain tumors. It may also get better as the day goes on and worsen when you change position.

Tumors don't give you a sour stomach for only a day. It can last a week or more.

Mood or Behavior Changes

You don't have to notice the feeling of a brain tumor to experience changes. It can significantly change your behavior and mood. It's even common to face mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Cognition Changes

A brain tumor can make thinking slower or more difficult. You may struggle to focus or notice you're becoming more forgetful than usual. These symptoms shouldn't be ignored, regardless of age.

Speech Changes

Difficulty thinking can also come with difficulty speaking. A brain tumor can make you struggle to speak or find the words you want to say. You may begin to slur your words. It's also common to misunderstand what others are saying to you.

Speech isn't the only area affected. A tumor can affect the entire language area of your brain. You may also struggle to read or write.

Sudden Seizures

Sudden seizure activity can affect approximately 60% of brain tumor patients, especially those with gliomas.

The behavior during these seizures can be subtle. You may simply stare off blankly. You may feel a strange tingling or experience odd tastes, sights, or smells.

The activity can also be more violent, with shaking or jerking motions. It's also common to experience confusion and a loss of awareness. When you recover from the seizure, you may not even remember it happened.

Balance or Walking Issues

Brain tumors tend to affect the opposite side of the body, similar to a stroke. If the tumor is on the left side, you may not be able to use your right arm or leg properly.

This can make it difficult to walk or balance. It can also be compounded by dizziness. 

Vision or Hearing Problems

Brain tumors can cause various problems with your eyes, including:

• Blurry or double vision
• Loss of side vision
• Flickering eyes

They can also affect your ears. You may experience ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. You may also have complete hearing loss in one ear.

Fatigue

Your body can become exhausted fighting off a brain tumor. It's common to be fatigued or drowsy. You may also sleep more than usual or not feel refreshed after you rest.

Who Is at a High Risk of a Brain Tumor?

Anyone can get a brain tumor at any time, but there are certain risk factors to be aware of.

Old age is one. Gender is another because men are at a slightly higher risk.

If you already have cancer in another part of your body, it could metastasize to your brain. Any radiation you receive, especially if it's near your head, increases your risk. A family history of cancer is another factor.

How Do I Rule Out a Brain Tumor? 

Go to the doctor to rule out a brain tumor if you notice sudden, lasting symptoms such as seizures or headaches. 

The most accurate tool for a brain tumor diagnosis is an MRI scan. Other options include CT or PET-CT scans and neurological tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can a Brain Tumor Be Confused For?

Getting a brain tumor diagnosis is difficult because it has a long list of symptoms. Many brain tumor indicators also coincide with other common conditions.

Pseudotumor cerebri is a rare condition called a false brain tumor. An actual brain tumor can also easily be confused with other, more common health problems, such as:

• Migraines
• Epilepsy
• Strokes
• MS
• Depression or anxiety
• Severe infections
• Alzheimer's or Parkinsons
• Inner ear or balance issues
• Head trauma

Where Is the Most Common Spot For a Brain Tumor?

The most common location for a brain tumor is in the meninges. Approximately 36.4% of brain tumors begin there.

Another common location is the frontal lobe. This is the part of the brain that controls personality, cognition, and movement.

Tumors may also appear in the temporal lobe. One common symptom when they develop here is the sudden onset of seizures.

Donate to Connecticut Brain Cancer Research Today

What does a brain tumor feel like? The most obvious symptom is often painful headaches. Other, more subtle signs include difficulties with functions such as cognition and balance.

CTBTA, or the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance, is a nonprofit in Connecticut dedicated to supporting patients and their families. We work to advance brain tumor awareness and research while providing support for patients and their families. 

Find out how to give to support the fight today.