Headache in Brain Tumors

Neurol Clin. 2024 May;42(2):487-496. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.12.004. Epub 2024 Jan 12.

Abstract

The prevalence of brain tumors in patients with headache is very low; however, 48% to 71% of patients with brain tumors experience headache. The clinical presentation of headache in brain tumors varies according to age; intracranial pressure; tumor location, type, and progression; headache history; and treatment. Brain tumor-associated headaches can be caused by local and distant traction on pain-sensitive cranial structures, mass effect caused by the enlarging tumor and cerebral edema, infarction, hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and tumor secretion. This article reviews the current findings related to epidemiologic details, clinical manifestations, mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and management of headache in association with brain tumors.

Keywords: Brain tumor; Cancer; Diagnosis; Headache; Intracranial neoplasm; Pathophysiology; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Edema*
  • Brain Neoplasms* / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Headache / diagnosis
  • Headache / etiology
  • Headache / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus* / complications