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| Complications of Brain Cancer | |
Your brain is in charge of everything your body does. See how this cancer affects these functions.
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Cancer
What Complications Can Brain Cancer
Cause?
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How Cancer Affects Your Brain
Your brain is in charge of everything your
body does, including vision, hearing, speech, and movement. As brain cancer
grows, it presses on and damages areas that control these things. That can lead
to complications like headaches, seizures, vision and hearing loss, and balance
issues. Your doctor will help you manage these problems while you get
treatments for your cancer.
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Fatigue
A lot of people with brain cancer deal with
this. You feel exhausted because your body uses a lot of energy to fight off
the tumor. Cancer-related fatigue isn't normal tiredness. It wipes you out. The
cancer also makes it harder for you to sleep soundly. Even when you can sleep,
it doesn't always relieve the weariness. To curb fatigue, break up tasks into
small chunks and take rest breaks during the day.
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Headaches
About half of people with brain cancer get
headaches. The tumor itself doesn't cause pain. But as it grows, it can press
on sensitive nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Headaches can last for
several hours. They can feel dull, aching, pounding, or throbbing. They’re
often worse in the morning or can flare up when you cough or exercise. Your
doctor can prescribe medicine to help control the pain.
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Nausea and Vomiting
A tumor can make you sick to your stomach if
it presses on certain areas of your brain. Cancer treatments like radiation and
chemotherapy also cause nausea and vomiting. "Anti-emetic" medicines
relieve nausea. They come in a liquid, tablet, and capsule -- or as a
suppository if you're too sick to swallow medicine. Call your doctor if you
can't keep down any foods or fluids, or you've been throwing up for more than
24 hours.
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Speech and Language Problems
Cancer can affect parts of your brain that
help you speak and process language. You might struggle to find the right
words, or mix up words when you describe objects ("chair" instead of
"table,” for instance). It can also be harder to understand what other
people say, or to follow a conversation. Language problems can be frustrating.
Relax and slow down when you speak. A speech and language therapist can
also help with communication.
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Vision Problems
A brain area called the occipital lobe
processes the images your eyes see. A tumor in this part of the brain could
affect your vision. Blurred vision, double vision, and floating spots can all
be signs of a brain tumor. Your sight might go gray when you stand up or change
position quickly. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor for a vision
test. Surgery and other treatments that shrink the tumor can improve vision
problems.
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Hearing Loss
A tumor can put pressure on the nerves in your
inner ear that move sound from your ear to your brain. Depending on where the
tumor is, you might first lose the ability to hear high-pitched or low-pitched
sounds. Ringing in the ears is also common. The hearing loss can come on
slowly, and it might only be in one ear. See your doctor for a hearing test and
treatment options.
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Balance Issues
The cerebellum, an area in the lower part of
your brain, controls your coordination and balance. This region helps keep you
steady on your feet. A tumor in the cerebellum can throw off your balance and
cause you to stumble or drop things. If you have balance problems, see a
physical therapist. You might need a walker or cane to help you get around
safely. Wear shoes with non-skid soles, and avoid walking on uneven or slippery
surfaces.
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Personality and Mood Changes
More than half of people with brain cancer
have personality or mood changes. It's common to feel more angry, withdrawn,
anxious, or irritable than usual. Some of these changes may be part of
your response to your cancer diagnosis and treatment. Others start when
the tumor grows into areas of your brain that control mood and emotion. Talk
with your doctor or a mental health specialist. Therapy can help you manage
what you're going through.
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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Tumors release chemicals that make your body
more likely to form blood clots. Nearly 1 in 5 people with brain tumors get
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in a deep vein in the leg. If the clot moves
into your lungs (pulmonary embolism), it could be life-threatening. See a
doctor if you have swelling, redness, and tenderness in your leg. Taking blood
thinners will stop the clot from getting bigger and prevent new clots from
forming.
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Memory Loss
If you're more forgetful, it could be due to
both your cancer and its treatments. Tumors can harm short-term and long-term
memory, depending on their location. Chemotherapy and other treatments affect
concentration and leave you mentally foggy. You may hear it called "chemo brain."
Use a notebook, daily planner, and smartphone apps to remind you. An
occupational therapist can show you how to make work and home tasks easier.
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Seizures
About 60% of people with brain cancer get
seizures, which are sudden bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Tumors may trigger them by changing brain cells or chemicals in a way that
makes nerve cells fire too often. During a seizure, some people shake. Others
stare off into space. Anti-seizure medicines can help. Also, avoid triggers,
like loud noises or too little sleep.
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Numbness and Weakness
A brain area called the parietal lobe helps
you process the sensation of touch. A tumor in this part of your brain can
cause numbness, or a tingling sensation that feels like pins and needles. Often
the numbness affects only one side of your body, such as one arm or leg. One
side of your body might also be weaker than the other. Tell your doctor about
these symptoms.
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Treating Your Cancer
The treatments you get to shrink your cancer
will also ease its complications and can include:
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Surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
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Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer
cells or slow their growth.
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Chemotherapy medicines kill cancer cells.
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Targeted therapy attacks the parts of cancer cells that help
them grow and multiply.
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When to Call Your Doctor
UP NEXT
on October 08,
2017
This tool does not provide medical
advice
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