Brain Tumors

Brain tumor symptoms

The most common brain tumor symptoms are:

• Numbness in your arms or legs
• Vision problems
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches that feel worse in the morning
• Difficulty speaking or finding the right words
• Difficulties with memory and thinking
• Bursts of abnormal electrical activity in the brain (seizures)
• Problems with coordination, including walking

Note that some brain tumor symptoms are not listed here. Symptoms vary by the type of tumor.

Types of brain tumors

Over 120 different tumors can develop in your brain. Most fall into one of these four categories:

• Primary
• Metastatic (secondary)
• Noncancerous (benign)
• Cancerous (malignant)

Primary tumors, like gliomas or pituitary tumors, start in your brain.

A metastatic tumor starts somewhere else in the body and spreads to your brain. It’s also called a secondary tumor.

A slow growing tumor, like a meningioma, doesn’t spread. But it might disrupt your normal brain function.

A glioblastoma is a dangerous malignant tumor that grows out of control. Cancerous tumors require urgent attention. 

Brain tumor diagnosis at UCI Health

We specialize in diagnosing and successfully treating even the most difficult and hard-to-reach tumors. 

What to look out for

Pay special attention to headaches that become more severe, blurriness, vision loss or difficulty thinking or finding words.

If you have experienced these symptoms, make an appointment with us right away. After our consultation, we’ll recommend brain scans, neurologic exams and possibly a biopsy. 

Brain tumor treatment at UCI Health

We coordinate with other cancer experts from our Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Neuro-oncology plays a major role in the treatment of your brain tumor. A neuro-oncologist is a physician with two specialties. They specialize in treating cancer (oncology) and have expertise in brain disorders (neurology).

Specialized treatments

In addition to leading the way with new chemotherapy medicines, our team offers other specialized treatments. Depending on your needs, these could include:

• Optune® wearable device – it looks like a shower cap and sends gentle electrical impulses to break up the tumor
  Our researchers helped develop this device, making us one of the most experienced centers to deliver this treatment.
• Molecular testing and alternative chemotherapy drugs – after a molecular exam, we identify drugs we usually use for different cancers to shrink your brain tumor
• Surgery – if the tumor is accessible using minimally invasive techniques, we can remove it through your nose or using laser tissue removal (ablation) through a tiny hole
• Radiation – our radiation oncologists use powerful, carefully targeted radiation beams to destroy cancer cells
• Immunotherapy – Immunotherapy is not a standard brain tumor treatment. It is experimental and part of our UCI Health renowned clinical trial program. This therapy uses your own tissue to train your immune system to recognize and attack brain tumor cells. While we are pioneers in immunotherapy, we are also studying cellular therapies, the next generation in novel treatment. 

After treatment

Once your treatment is complete, we’ll do more imaging tests to monitor how the tumor is responding.

Why choose UCI Health for brain tumor care?

Neuropsychologists and other professionals can help you cope with the emotional toll of dealing with a brain tumor

Because you’re dealing with a life-changing condition, we offer vital emotional support. Our licensed physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurse coordinators assist in your recovery.

While you’re undergoing treatment, please connect to our Cancer Support Services for help with everyday tasks and many other resources.

When you partner with us, our priority is to make sure that you and your family feel comfortable

We want you to have a solid understanding of your condition and feel good about your team and treatment options.

An essential part of our approach is providing easy access to all our specialists. For example, we work closely with our radiation oncology colleagues, so we can consult with them on your behalf immediately.

That means you don't have to wait for weeks to go from one specialist to the other. We can formulate answers together as a team.

Research and clinical trials

Our renowned research helps us pave the way toward improved brain tumor care for you and future patients. In our cancer clinical trials, we offer targeted therapies, immunotherapy and cellular therapy. You may be qualified to access these treatments that are not available anywhere else.

Interdisciplinary experience

Our clinicians are surgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiologists and neuropathologists (pathologists with advanced brain disease training). In addition, our neurointensivists specialize in neurology and medical intensive care. They are part of Orange County's only Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (Neuro-ICU). 

We’re the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Orange County

UCI Health is one of only 47 centers in the U.S. with this prestigious designation. We earned that distinction with excellent service and leading-edge treatments. Our fellowship-trained doctors are dedicated solely to brain tumor care.