Symptoms & Detection

While there are no known risk factors specific to brain and spinal cancers other than radiation exposure, knowing which symptoms signal a need to get checked can help lower your risk. At CHI Saint Joseph Health, we offer the education you need to stay on top of your brain and spine health, plus a full range of advanced diagnostic and treatment options.

Learn more below. To request a referral to one of our caring specialists, call 844.303.9355 or find a brain and spine expert online.

Understand Brain and Spine Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Many ordinary, unrelated symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of brain and spinal tumors, but the key to knowing when to see a doctor is when symptoms increase and become persistent, are unrelated to activity or other illness, or you have cancer or a history of cancer in other parts of the body. Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Headaches, changing in frequency or severity
• Nausea or vomiting, with no explained cause
• Vision, speech, hearing, or balance problems
• Loss of sensation in limbs or extremities
• Confusion or personality changes
• Seizures, especially if you have no history of seizures
• Back pain, especially if it radiates from other body parts or is worse at night
• Loss of organ function, particularly bowel or bladder
• Difficulty walking, or falling
• Loss of sensitivity, to pain, heat or cold

Genetic Cancer Counseling

Our program includes comprehensive cancer risk assessments, plus complementary genetic cancer counseling for individuals or families with hereditary concerns. When appropriate, your counselor will also coordinate genetic testing, walk through the results and discuss next steps.