Brain Tumor Symptoms, Types, and Treatment with Dr. Shah-Naz Khan, Neurosurgeon in Flint, MI
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain. Tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and primary (starting in the brain) or metastatic (spreading from elsewhere). Many brain tumors are not cancer, but because the skull is a closed space, even a benign tumor can matter when it presses on the brain. Treatment ranges from careful monitoring to surgery, radiation, and other therapies.
What it is
An abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain, benign or malignant.
Benign vs malignant
Many are noncancerous, but location and pressure still matter.
Common symptoms
New or morning headaches, seizures, and changes in vision, speech, or strength.
Emergency signs
A first seizure, or a sudden severe headache or deficit. Call 911.
How it is treated
Monitoring, surgery, radiation, and team-directed care.
What is a brain tumor?
A brain tumor is a mass that forms when cells in or around the brain grow and multiply in a way they should not. Doctors describe tumors in two main ways, and both matter for what happens next.
The first is where it started. A primary brain tumor begins in the brain or its coverings. A metastatic (secondary) tumor begins somewhere else in the body, such as the lung or breast, and spreads to the brain.
The second is how it behaves. A benign tumor is not cancer and usually grows slowly, while a malignant tumor is cancer and tends to grow faster. Many brain tumors are not cancerous. Still, because the skull is a fixed space, a benign tumor in the wrong place can press on the brain and cause symptoms, so "benign" does not always mean "leave it alone." See brain tumor care →
Two ways doctors describe a tumor
When is a brain tumor symptom an emergency?
Most headaches are not a brain tumor. But a few sudden changes need emergency care, whatever the cause.
Call 911 now if…
These can signal a stroke, bleeding, or dangerous pressure in the brain. Do not wait.
- A first-ever seizure, or a seizure that will not stop
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any before, sometimes called the worst headache of your life
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or drooping on one side of the body or face
- Sudden trouble speaking or understanding, vision loss, or new confusion or unresponsiveness
See a specialist soon if…
Not an emergency, but worth a neurosurgeon’s review.
- New headaches that are worse in the morning, wake you from sleep, or steadily worsen over weeks
- Headaches with nausea or vomiting, or that change with position
- Slowly progressing weakness, balance problems, or personality and memory changes
- A scan has already found a mass and you want a clear, honest plan
Common types of brain tumor
Brain tumors are named for the cells or tissue they start from. These are some of the most common.
Gliomas
Tumors that start in the brain’s supporting (glial) cells. They range from slow-growing to aggressive. Read about gliomas →
Meningiomas
Tumors that start in the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign and slow-growing. Read about meningiomas →
Pituitary adenomas
Growths on the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Most are benign but can affect hormones and vision.
Acoustic neuroma
Also called vestibular schwannoma, a benign tumor on the nerve of hearing and balance.
Metastatic tumors
Tumors that spread to the brain from a cancer that began in another organ, such as the lung or breast.
Other primary tumors
Less common tumors that begin in the brain or its structures and are diagnosed by imaging and pathology.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?
Symptoms depend on the tumor’s size, type, and where it sits in the brain. Some small tumors cause none at all.
General symptoms
- Headaches that are new, worse in the morning, or different from your usual pattern
- Seizures, including a first-ever seizure in an adult
- Nausea or vomiting, sometimes worse in the morning
- Increasing tiredness or drowsiness
Symptoms from pressure or location
- Weakness, numbness, or clumsiness on one side of the body
- Trouble with speech, understanding, or finding words
- Changes in vision, hearing, or balance
- Changes in memory, personality, concentration, or mood
How is a brain tumor diagnosed?
Imaging finds and maps a tumor. A tissue sample is what confirms exactly what it is.
MRI with contrast
Magnetic resonance imaging is the main test for finding and mapping a brain tumor. A contrast dye makes a tumor easier to see and helps plan treatment.
CT scan
A CT scan is quick and widely available, useful in an emergency or when MRI is not possible. It can show bleeding, swelling, or a mass.
Biopsy and pathology
A definitive diagnosis usually needs a tissue sample, taken as a biopsy or during surgery, and examined under a microscope, often with molecular testing.
How are brain tumors treated?
There is no single treatment. The plan depends on the type of tumor, its location, and your health, and often involves more than one specialty.
Active surveillance
A small, benign, symptom-free tumor may be watched with regular MRI scans rather than treated right away, so treatment is used only if it is truly needed.
Surgery
An operation, usually a craniotomy, aims to remove as much tumor as can be taken safely, relieve pressure, and provide tissue for an exact diagnosis.
Radiation or radiosurgery
Focused radiation can treat tumors that cannot be fully removed, or target a small tumor precisely while sparing nearby tissue.
Medical therapy
Depending on the diagnosis, chemotherapy or other medical treatments may be added, and are guided by a neuro-oncology team.
A clear plan and an honest opinion
A brain tumor diagnosis is frightening, and the path forward is not always obvious. As a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon, Dr. Khan reviews your imaging personally, explains what the tumor appears to be in plain language, and lays out the realistic options, including when the right first step is simply careful monitoring.
When surgery is considered, the goal is to remove as much as is safely possible while protecting the healthy brain around it. Dr. Khan will tell you honestly what surgery can and cannot achieve, and second opinions are genuinely welcomed. Learn about second opinions →
What shapes the plan
Brain tumor care from a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon
Shah-Naz Khan, MD, FRCSC, FAANS is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon and the founder of the Institute of General and Endovascular Neurosurgery in Flint, Michigan. Brain tumors are a core part of her practice, alongside cerebrovascular and spine care.
She built the practice in 2014 on a simple standard: excellence, ethics, and integrity. Every case is personally evaluated by Dr. Khan, treatment is recommended only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, and second opinions are welcomed. Explore brain tumor care →
Why patients choose IGEN
- Board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon
- Brain tumors evaluated alongside cerebrovascular and spine expertise
- Every case personally reviewed by Dr. Khan, not delegated
- Treatment advised only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk
- Second opinions genuinely welcomed
Brain tumors: frequently asked questions
Are all brain tumors cancer?
What are the first signs of a brain tumor?
Is a benign brain tumor dangerous?
Can a brain tumor be removed?
What kind of doctor treats a brain tumor?
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Khan about a brain tumor?
Concerned about a brain tumor or a scan result? Get a clear plan.
Whether you have new symptoms, a scan that found a mass, or a diagnosis you want to understand, Dr. Khan will review your case personally and explain your options in plain language.
- Request a consultation by phone or through the contact form.
- Share any MRI or CT results you already have so nothing is repeated needlessly.
- Meet Dr. Khan for a personal review, a clear explanation, and honest next steps.