What are the types of brain tumors and what are their most prominent symptoms?

The German Brain Foundation said that brain tumors are medically divided into two main types: primary tumors and secondary tumors, explaining that primary tumors may be benign or malignant and originate from cells of the central nervous system in the brain or spinal cord, while secondary tumors arise when cancer cells spread from another part of the body to the brain.

The foundation, a German non-profit organization that works to raise awareness, improve patient support, and fund brain tumor research, explained that secondary tumors are more common than primary tumors and are often associated with cancers of the breast, lung, kidney, or skin, which travel through the bloodstream to the brain.

The foundation stated that the following symptoms may indicate a brain tumor, and a doctor should be consulted immediately upon their appearance, and appropriate medical examination and treatment should be sought:

1. Unexplained or recurrent epileptic seizures.
2. Severe headaches, especially if they are new or more intense in the morning.
3. Numbness or weakness of movement on one side of the body or facial paralysis.
4. Dizziness and imbalance while walking.
5. Hearing and speech problems or difficulty expressing oneself.
6. Unexplained nausea and vomiting.
7. Vision disturbances such as double vision, seeing spots, or blurriness.
8. Mental confusion and problems with concentration and memory.
9. Sudden psychological and behavioral changes such as irritability and apathy.

The foundation notes that neurological symptoms may vary depending on the location of the tumor in the brain. Tumors in the motor lobes may cause weakness in the limbs, while tumors near cognitive areas may lead to personality changes and cognitive disorders.

It emphasizes the importance of early detection through neurological examination and modern imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), because early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment, which may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy depending on the type and grade of the tumor.