Brain metastases often announce themselves with neurological symptoms that escalate over days to weeks. Do not dismiss a new headache, a stumble, or a word-finding problem in a cancer patient. If you notice any of the following—especially if you have a history of cancer—seek expert evaluation immediately:
| Symptom | What to Watch For |
New or changing headache | Worse in the morning, with coughing or bending; different from prior headaches. |
Seizure | A first-ever seizure in an adult with cancer is brain metastasis until proven otherwise. |
Weakness or numbness | One-sided arm or leg weakness, facial droop, or loss of fine motor control. |
Balance or gait problems | Unexplained stumbling, dizziness, or difficulty walking straight. |
Cognitive or speech changes | Word-finding difficulty, personality changes, confusion, or memory lapses. |
Visual disturbances | Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision. |
