The signs, the risks and why early action matters
March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month, and it is an opportunity to talk openly about a something that affects thousands of families across the UK each year.
Brain tumours can develop in adults and children, and the effects can be life changing.
While many people receive good care, delays in diagnosis or treatment can sometimes make the outcome worse. Understanding the warning signs and the possible consequences is key.
This short guide explains what brain tumours are, what the effects can be, the long-term impact families may face, and where clinical negligence concerns can arise.
What is a brain tumour?
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain. Some tumours are benign and grow slowly. Others are malignant and more aggressive.
Even benign tumours can cause serious harm because of the pressure they place on delicate brain structures.
According to Brain Tumour Research, around 12,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year.
If you are looking for more information on brain tumours, you can find reliable information at:
Signs and symptoms to look out for
Symptoms often depend on the tumour’s size and location. Some develop gradually and can easily be mistaken for more common conditions.
Common symptoms include:
- persistent or worsening headaches
- seizures or fits
- nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning
- vision problems
- balance or coordination difficulties
- personality or behaviour changes
- speech or memory problems
In children, warning signs may also include:
- unexplained vomiting
- increasing head size in babies
- developmental delay
- changes in school performance
Persistent or unusual symptoms should always be checked by a medical professional.
Why early diagnosis is so important
Brain tumours can sometimes be difficult to identify early because symptoms overlap with conditions such as migraine, viral illness or stress. However, repeated attendances with red flag symptoms should trigger careful assessment.
Delays in diagnosis can lead to:
- tumour progression
- increased pressure in the brain
- more complex treatment
- poorer neurological outcomes
In some cases, earlier scanning or referral could have reduced the level of harm.
Hydrocephalus: a serious complication of brain tumours
One of the most important and sometimes urgent complications of brain tumours is hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus happens when a tumour blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain. Fluid then builds up in the ventricles, causing raised intracranial pressure.
In many cases, it is the pressure from hydrocephalus, rather than the tumour itself, that causes rapid deterioration and brain injury.
Symptoms of tumour related hydrocephalus can include:
- severe or worsening headache
- repeated vomiting
- drowsiness or reduced consciousness
- visual disturbance
- irritability in children
- a bulging fontanelle in babies
Hydrocephalus linked to a brain tumour is often a neurosurgical emergency. Urgent treatment such as insertion of a shunt or external drain may be required to relieve pressure and protect the brain.
Support for people living with hydrocephalus is available from Shine, the UK charity for spina bifida and hydrocephalus:
https://www.shinecharity.org.uk
The long-term consequences of brain tumours
The impact of a brain tumour often continues long after initial treatment. Many people live with significant ongoing difficulties.
These can include:
Cognitive and memory problems
Some people experience long term issues with memory, concentration and processing information. This can affect education, employment and independence.
Physical disability
Depending on the tumour location and treatment, individuals may develop:
- weakness on one side
- mobility difficulties
- coordination problems
- epilepsy
Fatigue and hidden disability
Severe fatigue is common but often misunderstood. Many people appear physically well but struggle with day to day functioning.
Emotional and behavioural changes
Brain injury can lead to:
- anxiety
- depression
- personality change
- reduced emotional regulation
Families often describe these changes as one of the most challenging aspects.
Ongoing hydrocephalus management
Some people require lifelong shunt management following tumour related hydrocephalus. Shunts can malfunction or become infected, requiring further urgent treatment.
Medical negligence and brain tumours
Most brain tumour care in the NHS is delivered to an appropriate standard. However, concerns can arise where care falls below what would reasonably be expected.
Common scenarios include:
- Delayed diagnosis of a brain tumour – This may occur where red flag symptoms were not recognised, referrals were delayed, or scans were not arranged when clinically indicated.
- Failure to recognise red flag symptoms
- Delay in arranging appropriate brain imaging or in neurosurgical referral or intervention
- Inadequate follow up or safety netting – People with suspected or known brain tumours require careful monitoring.
In some cases, earlier diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of serious neurological injury, particularly where raised intracranial pressure from hydrocephalus is involved.
It is important to be clear that not every delayed diagnosis of a brain tumour will amount to medical negligence.
Some tumours, particularly aggressive high-grade tumours such as glioblastoma, can carry a very poor prognosis even when diagnosed quickly. In those situations, an earlier diagnosis may not change the overall outcome, although it may mean the patient and family have answers sooner.
For a medical negligence claim to succeed, it is usually necessary to show two things:
- that the medical care fell below a reasonable standard, and
- that the delay made a material difference to the outcome
This second stage is known legally as causation.
Every case depends on detailed expert evidence. Specialist clinical negligence solicitors can help families understand whether an earlier diagnosis or earlier treatment of hydrocephalus would, on the balance of probabilities, have led to a better outcome.
Case example: delayed diagnosis and hydrocephalus
Our client, JB, was aged 14 when he presented to his GP on several occasions over a period of approximately four months with persistent headaches, early morning vomiting and increasing fatigue. His symptoms were attributed to migraine and exam related stress, and no brain imaging was arranged.
He later deteriorated with visual disturbance and reduced alertness and was taken to hospital. Urgent imaging confirmed a brain tumour causing obstructive hydrocephalus, resulting in significantly raised intracranial pressure.
Emergency neurosurgical intervention was required to relieve the pressure. However, by the time the hydrocephalus was treated, our client had sustained neurological injury.
He was left with ongoing cognitive difficulties, fatigue and visual problems which continue to affect his education and daily functioning.
The key issues in cases of this nature often include whether earlier recognition of red flag symptoms and earlier imaging would have led to more timely treatment of the tumour related hydrocephalus and a better neurological outcome. Each case will depend on its own facts and the expert medical evidence.
Support for families
A brain tumour diagnosis can affect every part of family life. Many people need ongoing rehabilitation and support, including:
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- speech and language therapy
- neuropsychology support
- educational support
- specialist equipment or care
Helpful organisations include:
- Brain Tumour Research
https://braintumourresearch.org - The Brain Tumour Charity
https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org - NHS brain tumour information
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-tumours/ - Shine
https://www.shinecharity.org.uk
Advice and guidance
Brain Tumour Awareness Month is about awareness, early action and support. Knowing the warning signs and seeking medical advice promptly can make a real difference, not just to you, but to those around you .
If you are worried about symptoms, speak to your GP or seek urgent medical advice.
If you have concerns about the care you or another member of your family received, our specialist medical negligence team is here to listen. We offer confidential, no obligation conversations and can help you understand your options in plain English.
If you would like to talk, do please get in touch.