Unusual flickering light and colour sensations may appear and upward gaze might be limited. Paralysis or weakness and loss of feeling may be present or there may be an inability to execute complex co-ordinated movements. There may be a loss of the ability to recognise shapes or objects by handling them and balance may be effected. Loss of smell may occur. All of the symptoms and signs occur to a varying degree depending upon the type of tumour, its size and its position in the brain.
Early diagnosis is tremendously important as an early operation can bring about a complete cure.
Computerised brain scanning including the latest technique of magnetic resonance imaging has revolutionised the early diagnosis of tumours of the brain and also of their surgical treatment. Surgery if possible is the main method of treatment. Corticosteroids or cortisone given before operation can increase the success rate of surgery in some cases by shrinking the tumour and decreasing the pressure on the brain. Chemotherapy and radiation either separately or together are used with or without associated surgery. Treatment varies depending upon the type and position of the tumour and the use of surgery particularly may not be possible in individual cases.