Brain cancer symptoms don't usually start out as something easily noticed. In fact most people don't get diagnosed because they relate these to stress and poor eating habits. However, headaches, dilated pupils and vomiting are some of the earliest signs that will show up. In young children, a brain tumor can cause the skull to grow in diameter, and make the fontanelles bulge. Increased intercrainal pressure is the biggest thing to watch out for because it can cause displacement amongst certain parts of the brain and very lethal brain stem compression.

If there's one thing really frightening about this disease is the fact that it targets the young. In the US alone, around 2000 children and adolescents falling below the age of 20 are diagnosed with malignant tumors each year. Brain cancer is an abnormal growth that is caused by uncontrollable, abnormal cell division that can stem from either the brain, the cranial nerves or the brain envelopes. Of course, the cancer can also be caused by a tumor that has metastasized from another part of the body, so a full routine check-up is required when symptoms start developing.

The effects of these symptoms are based on two factors, first is the size of the tumor, then how large it can get. The time it takes for symptoms to show also depends on the type of tumor that you're dealing with. Benign tumors are slow growing, meaning that the symptoms aren't severe until it reaches the advanced stages. Malignant brain tumors, on the other hand, spread rapidly, showing an early onset of symptoms.

Some signs, however, can be quite severe in comparison. An altered state of consciousness, for example, like somnolence or a coma can happen. If the tumor has done enough damaged, cognitive and behavioral changes can show, as well as eye site problems and facial paralysis.

Of course, some of these brain cancer symptoms can be nonspecific, and can also be caused by other conditions like a stroke or traumatic brain injuries. Whatever the case it is always good to have things checked out by your doctor as soon as possible - it could save your life!



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