Dizziness isn't a common initial symptom of brain tumors, but it can occur, especially if the tumor affects the cerebellum (balance center) or brainstem, causing vertigo, balance issues, or linked to increased pressure, headaches, nausea, and dehydration. Tumors on cranial nerves, like vestibular schwannomas, often cause dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus, while overall, it's less common as a standalone first sign compared to other causes like inner ear problems, but warrants medical attention if persistent, especially with other neurological symptoms.
Dizziness by itself is not a common symptom of a brain tumor. Most cases of dizziness are related to an inner ear problem, anemia, dehydration or taking certain medications. Sometimes, being anxious or depressed can cause dizziness as well.
Symptoms of a brain tumour
As non-cancerous tumours tend to grow slowly, the symptoms usually come on gradually and may get worse slowly over months or years. Symptoms of a brain tumour can include: headaches that get worse over time or do not go away – although it's unusual for a headache to be the only symptom.
Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, in your arms or legs, or a tingling sensation can indicate a brain tumor. If you notice these symptoms, immediate medical attention is important. Sudden and unexplained changes in personality, behavior, and mood swings can be signs of a brain tumor.
A minority of people with dizziness and balance problems have a neurological condition. The part of the brain that organises balance is the lowermost part and includes the brain stem and the cerebellum. This part of the brain is also responsible for movement, posture and speech, so these might also be affected.
If you are dizzy right now and have any of the following neurological symptoms along with your dizziness or vertigo, call 911 immediately:
Cerebellum. The cerebellum sits at the back of the brain and controls your sense of balance.
Some of the first signs of a brain tumor may include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans are used most often to look for brain diseases. These scans will almost always show a brain tumor. Doctors can often also get an idea about what type of tumor it might be, based on how it looks on the scan and where it is in the brain.
Brain tumor red flags include persistent, worsening headaches (especially in the morning/night), new-onset seizures, unexplained nausea/vomiting, vision changes (blurred, double), balance/coordination issues (clumsiness, trouble walking), significant personality or behavioral shifts, weakness/numbness on one side, and speech difficulties (slurring, trouble finding words). These symptoms often stem from increased pressure or direct interference with brain functions, and their gradual or sudden appearance warrants medical attention.
A brain tumor also can cause swelling in the brain that increases pressure in the head and leads to a headache. Headache pain caused by brain tumors is often worse when you wake up in the morning. But it can happen at any time. Some people have headaches that wake them from sleep.
Common symptoms include:
MRIs are the gold standard for diagnosing brain tumors, especially when enhanced with contrast dye. While rare, certain small tumors or those located in hard-to-scan areas may be missed. If symptoms persist and your MRI is clear, your care team may recommend additional testing or follow-up imaging.
Patients with brain tumors may also experience balance difficulties because of vision challenges, sensory problems, cognitive changes, or generalized weakness. When a patient faces imbalance, they may experience more falls.
Tingling or stiffness on one side – If one side of the arm or leg begins to numb, then the central nervous system could be affected by the brain tumor. Loss of balance or change in vision – Sudden changes to vision, such as blurry vision, and experiencing vertigo can result from a brain tumor.
Posterior fossa meningiomas that compress the brainstem might cause symptoms such as difficulty walking, loss of balance, vertigo, and nausea.
If your healthcare professional thinks your CT scan shows a brain tumor, you might need a brain MRI. Brain MRI. MRI, uses strong magnets to create pictures of the inside of the body. MRI is often used to detect brain tumors because it shows the brain more clearly than other imaging tests.
Conditions like epilepsy, stroke or Parkinson's disease can cause similar symptoms to brain tumors. And headaches are much more likely to be caused by something other than a brain tumor.
In most cases, a CT scan is sufficient to rule out a large brain tumor. However, in cases where CT scan detects an abnormality or if your doctor thinks that you have enough signs and symptoms which need more detailed scanning, he/she might order an MRI.
The symptoms can develop gradually over some months or even years if the tumour is slow growing. Or quickly over days or weeks if the tumour is fast growing.
The so-called "God spot" in the brain is a theoretical concept that there is a single structure or area of the brain responsible for religious belief and experience. Most studies, however, have not shown there to actually exist this localized area responsible for all religiosity.
Cerebellum. This is the back of the brain. It coordinates voluntary muscle movements and helps to maintain posture, balance, and equilibrium.
Concussion. This head injury damages your brain and causes dizziness, among other symptoms. Neurological diseases or disorders. Migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are examples of neurological disorders that affect your sense of balance and make you feel dizzy.