Detection and Diagnosis

Signs and symptoms of a brain tumor include:

• Headache
• Changes in the ability to think or learn
• Vomiting or nausea
• Blurred vision 
• Droopy eyelid
• Drowsiness or lethargy
• Hearing loss
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle weakness on one side of the face or body
• Uncoordinated gait

If you experience at least one of these symptoms, see your doctor. Your doctor will go over your medical history and symptoms and perform a complete neurological examination. This examination includes an assessment of your brain function, including memory, hearing, and vision, as well as your muscle function, such as balance, reflexes, strength, and coordination.

Ruling out infection and suspecting a tumor, your doctor may order an EEG, a CT scan, or an MRI to confirm the presence and location of a brain tumor. A biopsy of the brain tissue itself may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.