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A bad headache can be unsettling, but even more frightening are the assumptions you might make after experiencing a particularly severe headache – is it just a migraine or could it perhaps be a brain tumor?
Fortunately, a headache is usually not indicative of a brain tumor. A vast majority of headaches have nothing to do with cancer. Some common causes of headache include dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, caffeine withdrawal, an infection or a head injury.
However, if you do notice worrying new signs regarding your headache or if it persists even after taking painkillers, it’s a good idea to visit your healthcare provider to rule out any serious problems. We speak with neurosurgeon Dr. Ng Zhi Xu, who shares more on what you need to know about brain tumors and when you should seek medical help for your headaches.
Brain cancer happens when a mass of cells grows uncontrollably in the brain, resulting in a brain tumor. Brain tumors can be either benign or malignant.
As Dr. Ng shares, benign tumors are usually slow growing and do not spread to the rest of your body while malignant tumors, also known as cancers, are fast growing, are locally invasive and sometimes can spread to distant areas or other organs. Primary brain tumors develop from the brain itself while secondary brain tumors come from cancers that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body.
“If there is a history of cancer and development of new onset headaches or other neurological symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention early,” Dr. Ng warns.
There has been no proven lifestyle factor that has been shown conclusively to cause brain cancer, and most primary cases seem to appear randomly, however studies have found a small number of primary brain cancer cases linked to genetic disorders (i.e., Neurofibromatosis type 1, Turcot syndrome) and the disease seems to be slightly more prevalent in older adults above the age of 45 and occur more in males than females.
It is worth noting that not all brain tumors cause headaches, as the brain itself is not capable of feeling pain. It is when a tumor grows large enough to press on surrounding nerves and vessels that it results in headache. Hence if your main complaint is headache and you notice a fairly consistent pattern, you may be suffering from a migraine, a tension headache, or a cluster headache instead of a brain tumor.
“Headaches that are related to brain tumor may be severe and recurrent and may not respond to over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen,” Dr. Ng adds. Some characteristics to take note of, such as whether your headache worsens when lying down, which can increase intracranial pressure.
Aside from headaches, other neurological symptoms that may indicate brain cancer depend on where the tumor is located, as well as the size of the tumor. It typically includes:
“It may be difficult differentiating tumor headaches from headaches caused by migraines, tension or cluster headaches,” Dr. Ng said. “If there is a change in the nature, frequency or severity of your headaches, it will be good to check with your doctor.”
Most headaches tend to go away on their own with simple lifestyle changes, such as getting better quality sleep and staying hydrated, or with over-the-counter pain relief. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga or acupuncture may also be considered in alleviating headaches.
However, what happens when the pain does not go away?
According to Dr. Ng, “If your headaches are getting worse, or if they are associated with neurological symptoms, it will be important to seek medical attention.”
Your doctor will assess your symptoms and come up with an appropriate course of action based on what they have observed, be it a treatment plan for preventing and treating your headaches and migraines, or possibly asking for tests to be done to rule out more serious possibilities.
“As part of the work up, doctors may order radiological investigations such as a CT head or MRI head scan. These are detailed, non-invasive investigations to assess the structure of the brain and to rule out tumors,” Dr. Ng explains.
Do consult your doctor if your headaches happen more often and are more severe than usual, do not get better with OTC medication, and prevents you from performing your usual daily routines.
However, if you experience any of the following symptoms along with your headache, do visit a Medical Urgency Clinic immediately as it could be a sign of something more serious such as meningitis, encephalitis, or a stroke:
Undergoing treatment for brain tumors may sound scary and it can be a difficult journey but early detection will ensure you have the best possible chances of fighting against this difficult disease.
Hence, if you find that your headaches are getting worse or more frequent, it is important to seek medical attention early.
“It is important to seek appropriate medical care to understand your disease and to ensure you get the best treatment and outcomes,” Dr. Ng says.
Dr. Ng adds that in order to diagnose a suspected brain tumor, a neurosurgeon will typically take a detailed history of the patient and perform a neurological examination.
“A specialised radiological investigation known as MRI brain with contrast is usually performed to assess the brain and tumor in detail,” Dr. Ng shares. “If brain tumor is suspected, a biopsy is often required to obtain histological confirmation.”
Once a brain tumor has been confirmed, your neurosurgeon will work together with a team of specialists to determine the right treatment method for you based on the location and severity of your brain tumor, including a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery to control or remove the tumor.
There have also been advancements in the treatment of brain tumors, such as with gamma knife surgery, a non-invasive procedure that uses focused beams of radiation to target a specific point within the brain. This allows neurosurgeons to treat the tumor areas while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy brain tissue. Unlike traditional open surgery, this treatment option also does not require incisions or general anaesthesia, reducing the risks of bleeding, infection and other surgery-related complications.
While most headaches are not caused by brain tumors, it's important to listen to your body and pay attention to any unusual or persistent changes. Early detection and timely medical attention can make a significant difference in outcomes. If you’re unsure about your symptoms or have any concerns, don’t wait—speak to a doctor and get the answers you need for peace of mind and better health.
