{"id":3529,"date":"2021-12-14T01:43:25","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T17:43:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asiamd.com\/?p=3529"},"modified":"2025-08-22T16:20:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T16:20:26","slug":"is-your-neck-pain-or-headache-caused-by-a-brain-tumour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asiamd.bqubetech.com\/id\/2021\/12\/14\/is-your-neck-pain-or-headache-caused-by-a-brain-tumour\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your neck pain or headache caused by a brain tumour?"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/span>This article has been verified medically<\/span><\/em> by Dr James Tan Siah Heng<\/a>, consultant neurosurgeon at Surgi-TEN Specialists, Farrer Park Hospital (Singapore). <\/i>
\nAbout the Doctor<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Most headaches and neck aches are not caused by brain tumours. However, half of brain tumour patients<\/span><\/a> will experience increasingly severe and frequent headaches along with other systemic and neurological symptoms. As tumours damage brain tissue, tumours occurring at parts of the brain which control function will cause weakness, numbness, double vision, loss of coordination, and loss or difficulty with speech. If the tumour affects the motor area within the brain structure, the patient may suffer from seizures.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Debilitating pain can affect the head, neck or even upper back, as tumours advance and exert greater intracranial pressure. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

When should I see a neurosurgeon about my headache?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Headaches are dangerous if you experience the following, accompanied by these symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Thunderclap headache<\/b><\/span><\/a>: This is a severe headache which comes on suddenly. It reaches its maximum severity within a couple of minutes, and lasts about five minutes. The pain is so intense that it may cause nausea and vomiting. It can be felt as a headache, neck ache or upper back ache. Head to the emergency department immediately, as a thunderclap headache may be a sign of bleeding in or around your brain<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Positional headache<\/b>: This headache changes in intensity when you stand up, lie down or sit down. The pain can be described as severe, pressure-like, throbbing, pounding, stabbing or aching<\/span><\/a>. Most positional headaches are caused by a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which could have been brought on by a brain tumour, among other reasons.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Headaches initiated by exertion<\/b>: This type of exertional headache is brought on by physical exercise, coughing, sneezing, and\/or straining.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. New headaches<\/b>: Take note of new headaches, especially if you are older than 50 years of age, or if you have a medical condition that makes worrisome headaches more likely (e.g. history of cancer, taking blood thinners).<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Substantial change in headache pattern<\/b>: Headaches are common but if you experience a significant increase in headache frequency or intensity, pay attention.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Constant pain in the same area of the head that does not resolve despite taking painkillers.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Headache that does not go away completely.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Systemic symptoms which may accompany a headache in the presence of a brain tumour include:<\/span><\/p>\n