New Delhi, 06 June 2025: Every year on June 8, the world observes World Brain Tumour Day to raise awareness about brain tumours, their symptoms, and the importance of early diagnosis. While headaches and seizures are well-known symptoms of brain tumours, many people remain unaware of the lesser-known or unusual warning signs. These subtle signs often go unnoticed, delaying diagnosis and treatment, which can be life-threatening.
As we mark World Brain Tumour Day 2025, it’s crucial to highlight some unusual brain tumour symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. Recognizing these signs early can make a big difference in improving outcomes and saving lives.
What Is a Brain Tumour?
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within or around the brain. These tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and affect brain function depending on their size and location. Brain tumours can develop in people of any age, but early detection is key to improving prognosis.
Top 5 Unusual Brain Tumour Signs You Must Not Ignore
1. Personality or Behavioural Changes
Sudden mood swings, irritability, depression, or social withdrawal could be more than just mental health issues. Tumours in the frontal lobe, the area responsible for personality and decision-making, can alter behaviour drastically. People may become aggressive, lose interest in hobbies, or act inappropriately without realizing it.
2. Loss of Balance or Clumsiness
Frequent stumbling, dropping objects, or difficulty walking straight may indicate a tumour in the cerebellum, which controls coordination and balance. This is often mistaken for inner ear problems or age-related issues.
3. Vision Problems Like Blurred or Double Vision
Brain tumours can put pressure on the optic nerves, leading to visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision, or even sudden loss of peripheral vision. This is especially common in tumours located near the pituitary gland or the occipital lobe.
4. Hearing Loss or Ringing in One Ear
A lesser-known symptom of a brain tumour, particularly an acoustic neuroma, is gradual hearing loss in one ear or persistent tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This type of tumour affects the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain.
5. Unexplained Nausea and Vomiting (Especially in the Morning)
Morning nausea or vomiting without any digestive cause might indicate increased intracranial pressure caused by a growing brain tumour. This is often overlooked or misattributed to acid reflux or stomach infections.
Many unusual signs of brain tumours are subtle and can mimic other conditions like migraines, anxiety, or ageing. However, early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment, especially when surgical removal, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy is involved.
