Oct 20, 2025 12:30:00

What are the 7 signs of brain tumors that doctors often overlook?

Brain tumors are life-threatening diseases that can cause severe headaches, nausea, motor paralysis, and speech disorders, but many of their symptoms can be easily mistaken for simple stress or lack of sleep. Laura Standen, a postdoctoral researcher at the Wolfson Institute for Population Research at Queen Mary University of London , and her colleagues explain seven signs of brain tumors that are often overlooked.

The seven symptoms that can delay brain tumor diagnosis – and why early detection matters
https://theconversation.com/the-seven-symptoms-that-can-delay-brain-tumour-diagnosis-and-why-early-detection-matters-266215

As part of their research, Standen and his colleagues spoke with brain tumor patients and found that both patients and their doctors often dismissed early symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. In fact, some brain tumor symptoms mimic fatigue, stress, migraines, and menopause, and one patient even ignored them for two to three months.

The patients Standen and his colleagues spoke to reported the following 'ignored signs of brain tumors,' but the presence of one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have a brain tumor:

◆1: I can't find the words
Some patients with brain tumors have found it difficult to think of specific words, form coherent sentences, or participate smoothly in conversations. One patient found this 'strange and unusual' but didn't pay much attention to it. Another patient felt something was wrong but couldn't talk about the experience, so he wrote it down. While fatigue, stress, and anxiety can all be reasons for difficulty finding words, if the problem persists or appears suddenly, it may be worth seeing a doctor.

◆2: Brain fog
Some patients complained of symptoms known as brain fog , including difficulty concentrating, thinking, and memory loss. One patient experienced brain fog and made an appointment with his doctor, but by the time the appointment started, he had forgotten why he had made the appointment, resulting in his brain tumor being overlooked.

'Brain fog can be caused by a variety of factors, including menopause, lack of sleep, and stress. One patient's family recalled, 'When the symptoms first appeared, everyone thought it was menopause,'' Standen explained. 'However, when brain fog is accompanied by other neurological changes, such as speech or vision problems, caution is warranted.'

◆3: Numbness or tingling in the body
Some patients reported experiencing numbness or tingling sensations throughout their body, while two patients reported experiencing symptoms on only one side of their body. These symptoms occur when a brain tumor affects the sensory or motor control areas of the brain. While other possible causes of numbness include nerve compression, poor circulation, and migraines, if symptoms appear suddenly or only on one side of the body, you should see a doctor.

◆4: Visual impairment
Changes in vision are also an early symptom of brain tumors, with patients reporting things like, 'I saw double lines when watching TV,' or 'All the mugs looked oval, so I asked if they'd received a large shipment of suspicious mugs, and people around me asked me, 'What are you talking about?''

These vision changes can be caused by things like eye strain or migraines, but if they occur suddenly or are very unusual, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms like headaches, dizziness, difficulty speaking, or weakness or numbness on one side of the body, you should consult a doctor.

◆5: Your handwriting becomes messy
One patient said, 'One day, I couldn't write. I was taking notes during a meeting, and my handwriting became really messy.' This is due to a decline in hand-eye coordination, which could be due to simple fatigue or distraction, but it could also be a sign that the tumor is affecting the motor control area of the brain, which coordinates fine movements.

6. Personality changes
Changes in behavior and mood can be subtle but noticeable enough to be noticeable. One patient told Standen and colleagues, 'I didn't really think anything of it. I was just tired of my job and wanted to retire early,' and attributed these personality changes to burnout. While personality changes are natural due to life transitions and stress, especially when they occur in conjunction with other symptoms or are sudden or significant, a brain tumor may be the culprit.

7. Headache
Headaches are a common symptom and are often nothing to be worried about, but the headaches experienced by brain tumor patients were constant and lasted for more than a week.

'Brain tumor symptoms are diverse and often overlap with everyday symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. The symptoms listed here are unrelated to cancer in most cases. However, if any unusual changes occur simultaneously or persist longer than expected, they should not be ignored,' Standen and his colleagues said, advising people to see a doctor if they notice any abnormalities.