It has been estimated that as many as 170,000 people develop metastatic tumors each year from cancer cells that have migrated to the central nervous system from a primary tumor elsewhere in the body. CNS tumors in children often form in different areas and come from different cell types than those in adults, and children's tumors may have a different prognosis and treatment. CNS tumors of all types cause approximately 13,000 deaths each year. The outlook for a person with a brain or CNS tumor can depend almost as much on the tumor's location as its type. My brain tumor was discovered after I had a seizure, but I've learned people can have a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms vary markedly depending on the tumor's type and location.
Similarly, some people with tumors that are causing excess pressure in the skull may experience nausea or vomiting, blurred or double vision, hearing disturbances, or problems with muscle control or coordination. These symptoms, too, may be related to other medical problems. The doctor was able to remove most of my tumor, and we're treating the remaining part with radiation. I'm also going to try a new type of chemotherapy, but I know it may not get rid of my tumor forever. Continuing advances in imaging technologies are improving our ability to diagnose CNS tumors and remove them more safely.