Symptoms of brain metastases are quite varied and depend on the location and size of the tumor or tumors. These symptoms can include:
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Headaches
About half the patients with brain metastases develop headaches. Headaches develop when the tumor or tumors create pressure inside the skull and compress surrounding brain tissue. This type of headache is typically at its worst in the morning and tends to improve over the course of the day. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
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Seizures
These occur when a tumor triggers an abnormal flow of electrical impulses through the brain. Patients with partial, or focal, seizures may experience twitching or jerking muscles, abnormal smells or tastes, problems with speech, or numbness and tingling. Generalized seizures can cause the patient to lose consciousness.
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Speech Problems, Comprehension Problems, Impaired Vision, Weakness or Numbness in Parts of the Body
These symptoms arise when a tumor affects the areas of the brain that govern speech, cognition, or muscle control.
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Motor Problems
These evolve when a tumor disrupts the normal flow of signals from the brain to the muscles.
Some patients with brain metastases have not experienced any symptoms at diagnosis. Instead, the tumor is found incidentally during tests for other conditions, or as part of staging done for a primary cancer.
