Tumours of the brain rarely spread outside the brain. Most occur from the age of 45 on with a peak incidence at the age of 70. Cancers of any sort are rare in children and young adults - in these age groups however in comparison with other cancers, brain tumours are relatively common. Headache, nausea, vomiting and personality changes are the early signs of the brain tumour. There may be a disturbance in the mental state with a tendency to withdraw from social contacts and a person can become listless and easily tired.
Mood changes ranging from depression to manic type behaviour can also occur.
Convulsive seizures, that is fits or epilepsy can also occur. In young children there may be progressive enlargement of the head. Eye changes can include blurring or loss of vision. Sometimes the visual loss is restricted to just the things on either the left of the right. Unusual flickering light and colour sensations may appear and upward gaze might be limited.