In the very unlikely event that a headache does lead to a brain tumor diagnosis, MSK is one of the top places in the world to come for care. “It is therefore especially important to examine people comprehensively to be certain that symptoms or signs aren’t missed.” Back to top Help at MSK “People with a prior history of headaches who are unlucky enough later in life to develop a brain tumor are more likely to complain of a headache than people without a history,” Dr. That can help him determine if the headache is something out of the ordinary or if it is consistent with the person’s medical history. Carver meets with someone for an appointment, he asks if headaches have been an issue for that person in the past. “If a 22-year-old comes to see me and meets criteria for migraine, and has a normal neurological exam, is there a reason to order an MRI? Absolutely not,” he says. Back to top O: OlderĪ brain tumor is much more common in older adults than in young people, Dr. A more concerning headache comes on fast and strong, Dr. Many headaches that are not dangerous tend to gradually build over hours or even days. Every time a person has an annual check-up, their doctor is expected to perform a short neurologic exam. The person might drag a leg when walking, have trouble speaking, or be unable to raise their arms to equal height. A person with a brain tumor often has a specific neurologic issue that is visible to the naked eye. “Do they have a fever? Do they have some other illness like cancer or HIV? Is this person sick in some other way? If the person is a young adult and in good health other than the headache, I can often reassure him or her of the extreme unlikelihood of an underlying brain tumor.” Back to top N: Neurologic ExamĪ neurologic exam is the gold-standard test given by neurologists and emergency room doctors when someone comes in with a headache. “I want to know what else is going on,” Dr. A person with a brain tumor likely has other symptoms, and sometimes a preexisting health condition. “Systemic” refers to what is happening in someone’s body at the time of the headache.
Dent in the middle of my forehead series#
Carver can usually determine if a person’s headache warrants a closer look by considering a series of questions he abbreviates with the acronym SNOOP. When someone visits a neurologist, a further look at the brain with an MRI is only sometimes necessary. Others can be a shorter period of prolonged involuntary movements. Some seizures can include convulsing and a loss of consciousness. A seizure is another tip-off, and it can take different forms. The symptoms that more commonly suggest a mass in the brain are neurologic: difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of the body, and changes in vision, for example. In fact, only about half of the time will a headache be what brings a person in to see a neurologist, he adds.
Vision problems and other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and being sensitive to sound and light are much more likely indicators of a migraine headache than a mass in the brain, he says. “The honest truth is that most of the time headaches are not associated with brain tumors, though they can produce severe pain and other unpleasant symptoms.” Carver, adding that only five per 100,000 people are diagnosed each year. “Primary brain tumors are distinctly uncommon,” says Dr. But Alan Carver, a neurologist and supportive care specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering, says that the vast majority of the time, a headache is not something to worry about. When that throbbing pain gets unbearable, it’s easy to worry that your headache might be something more serious, like a brain tumor. But sometimes, even scarier than the pounding in your head can be the tricks your mind plays on you as it’s happening. MSK neurologist and supportive care specialist Alan Carver discusses the more common causes of headaches and when to see a doctor if you have a serious one.Ī bad headache can be a frightening experience. The vast majority of the time, a bad headache is not an indication of a brain tumor. Find a Researcher Programs & Centers Postdoctoral Positions Research Topics.Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.Find a Doctor Refer a Patient Newsletter Sign Up Clinical Trials.
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