Question 1

how long can you live a brain tumor and not know about it? can you live 12 yrs with it and not know it?

Accepted Answer

Depends: A very common benign brain tumor, a meningioma, may be present for years, remain small and cause no symptoms.  Many times, meningiomas show up on mri's taken for a different reason.   A more aggressive tumor, such as a glioma, could cause substantial symptoms within weeks.  Neurosurgeons can guide indications for surgery.

Question 2

how long will you live without knowing you have a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Brain Tumor: It totally depends on the tumor. Some tumors are very aggressive and you only have days to weeks to live. Others are not aggressive and can be present for decades without causing death.

Question 3

can you describe the initial signs that you have a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Confusion,: Dizziness, memory loss, slurred speech, loss of balance, weakness on one side of the body, seizures or blurred or double vision could signal a stroke or brain tumor, so always demand prompt medical action in those circumstances. Isolated headache is rarely caused by brain tumors.

Question 4

could you have a brain tumor over many years without realizing?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Benign brain tumors can be very slow growing. They may be undected because of their slow growth or because they are not pressing on anything that may lead to neurological symptoms. Because some of these tumors grow so slowly (ie. Meningioma), it is not detected because the displaced brain or nerves may accomodate for the tumor until it gets very large.

Question 5

please tell me what are signs of knowing if you have a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms?: If the tumor is small and not pressing on vital areas of the brain, depending on the tumor type, if benign or cancerous, it can be present for a very long time and undiagnosed. 

A very aggressive tumor however, or a tumor that affects an important part of the brain will likely be diagnosed fairly quickly.

Question 6

if you have a brain tumor that's already grew how long will you live if it's big?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Prognosis for brain tumors depends on several factors. The most important is the type of tumor. Some benign tumors have an excellent prognosis even without treatment. On the other hand , malignant tumors may have  a  poor prognosis . Other factors may include age, health condition, tumor location and size.

Question 7

how can you tell if you have a brain tumor? what are the symptoms of a brain tumor?  what should i look for?

Accepted Answer

Brain : Brain tumors can cause new seizures, new headaches (something different or worse than ever before), new neurological problems (like weakness or numbness in one part of your body), new visual problems (double vision or very blurred vision), severe constant dizziness, or any new neurological problem.  As neurologists, we are worried whenever somebody comes in with a "new" neurological symptom.  The reassuring thing about brain tumors is that we can just get an image of the head (ct scan and/or mri) and answer the question immediately.

Question 8

how can doctors tell if you have a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms and MRI: Brain tumors can cause different symptoms depending on location. For example, if it is adjacent to the motor areas, there may be weakness. If it is near the visual pathways, there can be loss of vision. Such complaints by the patient lead the doctors to order ct scans or mris. Mris in particular are very good at delineating the tumor from the normal brain. Contrast enhancement helps.

Question 9

will you stop breathing if you have a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: It depends on the location of the brain tumor. There are certain brain tumors that are located next to vital centers in the brain that control breathing (brainstem centers). These areas can be affected and may lead to cessation of breathing. Also, if a brain tumor in other areas gets large enough that there is pressure and brainstem compression breathing can also stop.

Question 10

can you have a brain tumor with a normal physical exam?

Accepted Answer

Possible: While a typical physical exam may not identify a brain tumor there is good news:  1. They are exceptionally uncommon in 19 year-olds. 2. A big one or even a small one in the right place would cause symptoms that should be found on a typical physical exam.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you have a brain tumor and not know it

A member asked:

How long can you live a brain tumor and not know about it? can you live 12 yrs with it and not know it?

A member asked:

How long will you live without knowing you have a brain tumor?

A member asked:

Can you describe the initial signs that you have a brain tumor?

A member asked:

Could you have a brain tumor over many years without realizing?

A member asked:

Please tell me what are signs of knowing if you have a brain tumor?

A member asked:

If you have a brain tumor that's already grew how long will you live if it's big?

A member asked:

How can you tell if you have a brain tumor? what are the symptoms of a brain tumor? what should i look for?

A member asked:

How can doctors tell if you have a brain tumor?

A member asked:

Will you stop breathing if you have a brain tumor?

A member asked:

Can you have a brain tumor with a normal physical exam?

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