Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumors in Children

Signs and symptoms from brain tumors might happen gradually and get worse over time, or they can happen suddenly, such as with a seizure.

Many of the symptoms of brain tumors are not specific and could be caused by other things. They can also be different, depending on age or the location of the tumor.

 If you or your child has any of the symptoms below, it's important to see a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

General symptoms of brain tumors in children

Tumors in any part of the brain might raise the pressure inside the skull (known as intracranial pressure). This can be caused by growth of the tumor, swelling in the brain, or blocked flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Increased pressure can lead to general symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Crossed eyes or blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Balance problems or trouble walking
• Behavior or personality changes
• Seizures
• Drowsiness or even coma

The doctor can sometimes tell if pressure inside the skull is increased by looking inside the eyes for swelling of the optic nerve (known as papilledema). This does not hurt and can often be done during a regular doctor’s office visit with a primary care physician or an eye specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist).

Headaches

Headaches that get worse over time are a common symptom of brain tumors. A headache is most concerning if it is:

• Continuous or occurs often for longer than 4 weeks
• Associated with vomiting, confusion, or pain that disrupts sleep
• Present upon first waking up
• Affecting a child under 4 years old

Not all brain tumors cause headaches, and most headaches are not caused by tumors. But it’s important to talk to your doctor about these symptoms to find the cause and treat them if needed.

Seizures

Seizures are sometimes the first symptom of a brain tumor, although most seizures in children are not caused by brain tumors. If you or your child has a seizure, a neurologist (a doctor who specializes in brain and nervous system problems) may evaluate you to make sure it was not caused by a brain tumor or another serious condition.

Other brain tumor symptoms in infants and toddlers

In the first few years of life, other symptoms of brain tumors can include:

• Irritability
• Loss of appetite or trouble swallowing/choking
• Developmental delays
• Weight loss or trouble gaining weight
• Loss of memory, learning or physical abilities
• Increased head size, sometimes along with bulging of the soft spots of the skull (fontanelles)

Other brain tumor symptoms in school-aged children

In school-aged children, other general symptoms of brain tumors can include:

• Poor school performance
• Fatigue
• Personality changes

Symptoms of tumors in different parts of the brain or spinal cord

Different parts of the brain and spinal cord control specific functions. Brain tumors in certain areas can cause different symptoms. For example:

• Tumors in the parts of the cerebrum (the large, outer part of the brain) that control movement or sensation can cause weakness or numbness in a part of the body, often on just one side.
• Tumors in or near the parts of the cerebrum responsible for language can cause problems with speech or understanding words.
• Tumors in the front part of the cerebrum can sometimes affect thinking, personality, and language skills.
• Tumors in the cerebellum (the lower, back part of the brain that controls coordination) can cause trouble walking, trouble with precise movements of the hands, arms, feet, and legs, problems swallowing or synchronizing eye movements, and changes in speech.
• Tumors in the back part of the cerebrum, or around the pituitary gland, the optic nerves, or certain other cranial nerves can cause vision problems.
• Tumors on or near other cranial nerves might lead to hearing loss (in one or both ears), balance problems, weakness of the muscles of the face,  numbness or pain in the face, or trouble swallowing.
• Spinal cord tumors may cause numbness, weakness, back pain, or lack of coordination in the arms and/or legs (usually on both sides of the body), as well as problems such as trouble urinating or passing stool or passing urine or stool without knowing it (incontinence).

If your child or teen has symptoms

Having one or more of the symptoms above does not necessarily mean that your child has a brain or spinal cord tumor. All of these symptoms can have other causes. Still, if your child has any of these symptoms, especially if they do not go away or get worse over time, see your child’s doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.