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Symptoms of gliomas depend on which part of the brain is affected. They can include headaches, seizures, nausea and vomiting, and other signs of increased pressure within the brain.

Early diagnosis is a key preventive strategy for brain cancer. The deCODEme Complete Scan can calculate your genetic risk for developing glioma.

Symptoms of gliomas depend on the location of the tumor in the brain, the functions controlled by that part of the brain, and the size of the tumor.

Glioma tumors destroy normal brain cells

In order to grow, most cancers push healthy cells aside. Due to space constraints within the brain, glioma tumors actually destroy normal brain cells to make room to grow by releasing large quantities of the neurotransmitter glutamate. Excess glutamate is toxic to neurons and causes seizures in up to 80% of people with gliomas.

The first symptoms of gliomas are often seizures or headaches

Glioma tumors tend to spread quickly within the brain, causing a variety of neurological symptoms. These symptoms depend on the location of the tumor in the brain, the functions controlled by that part of the brain, and the size of the tumor. The most common symptoms of gliomas are headaches and seizures.

Symptoms of brain tumors including gliomas

• New or uncontrollable headaches, especially morning headaches
• Loss of vision
• Seizures
• Problems with speech
• Increased sleep
• Unsteadiness or gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or a leg

These symptoms may occur gradually and worsen over time, or they can appear suddenly, for example in the form of a seizure.

Remember that none of the symptoms listed above is specific for brain tumors. They may all have other causes. Nonetheless, if you have symptoms that concern you, consult a doctor so that they can be evaluated and the problem treated, if necessary.

Early diagnosis is a key preventive strategy for brain cancer

This means seeing your doctor if you have any unusual symptoms, such as those described above, that do not go away and could possibly be warning signs of increased pressure to areas of the brain.

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.

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