It's difficult to think of a disease more ominous than brain cancer. Nevertheless, many people brush off concerning symptoms, such as unexplained headaches or neurological changes, assuming they're related to something far less serious. But early recognition of symptoms can make a world of difference.

"Millions of people have headaches every year, but almost all of them don't have brain tumors," says Dr. David Baskin, a neurosurgeon at Houston Methodist. "That said, it's very important to report persistent neurological symptoms to your doctor. If it is brain cancer, the earlier we intervene, the better the outcome."

Brain cancer occurs when abnormal cells form and grow in tissue of brain, or from the nerve tissue or the supporting cells around it. In addition, brain tumors often occur as a result of cancer spreading from elsewhere in the body.

Due to the limited space inside the skull, tumors press on vital areas of the brain as they grow and the pressure inside the skull increases, causing serious symptoms and complications.

Brain cancer can be challenging to treat, but the outlook isn't necessarily bleak. Advancements in brain surgery techniques and other therapies continue to evolve, and there are more options than ever for removing tumors, slowing their growth and preventing recurrence.

Understanding brain cancer

With more than 100 different types, you could say that brain tumors are almost as complex as the brain itself.

One major way they're classified is as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

• Benign brain tumors tend to grow slowly and usually don't invade surrounding tissue. But because they can place pressure on sensitive parts of the brain and cause serious health problems, they may require treatment.
• Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells and are life-threatening because they invade and destroy healthy brain tissue. They also grow much more quickly than benign brain tumors.

About 30% of brain tumors are malignant cancers. The most common types are glioblastomas, astrocytomas and medulloblastomas.

Brain cancer symptoms can vary by a tumor's type as well as its size, location and aggressiveness — for instance, the more malignant the tumor, the more rapidly symptoms progress. Prognosis and treatment can vary by type, too.

"What we've learned, though, is that there is no one single diagnosis, even once we've determined the tumor type," says Dr. Baskin. "At least five molecular features and 600 genes can be assessed to determine how we should approach a specific tumor, meaning brain cancer treatment can and should be very individualized — which is why you want to be treated somewhere where the knowledge is comprehensive."

The signs of brain cancer can be vague, but don't brush off persistent symptoms

It's hard to believe, but brain tissue doesn't have pain receptors. This means we aren't likely to "feel" a brain tumor until it's grown large enough to stretch the lining of the brain, which does have pain receptors.

The early signs of a brain tumor are instead related to the area of the brain irritated by the tumor. This is the other challenge when talking about symptoms, since the various areas of the brain serve different functions. And some areas, called "reserve" tissue, aren't very active at all.

"Depending on the location of the tumor, you could notice very significant symptoms, or none at all until the tumor has grown very large," adds Dr. Baskin.

In general, brain tumor symptoms can include:

• Difficulty with balance or walking
• Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or leg
• Headaches that become more frequent and debilitating
• Personality or behavior changes
• Seizures
• Speech difficulties
• Vision problems or loss of vision

(Related: When to See a Doctor for a Headache)

These symptoms aren't sure signs of brain cancer, but they should prompt you to consult your doctor, particularly if they're persistent and debilitating.

"If a person has a bad headache but it goes away, no big deal," says Dr. Baskin. "But if there are persistent, debilitating headaches, these should be taken seriously. The same goes for recurring numbness, tingling, weakness and balance or vision problems."

The best way to rule out or diagnose a brain tumor is an MRI scan, which your primary care doctor can order if symptoms warrant.

"If you're concerned about unexplained symptoms, advocate for yourself," stresses Dr. Baskin. "We achieve the best treatment outcomes when we can intervene early."

Brain tumor treatment benefits from a personalized approach

Treatment for a brain tumor is based on a person's age and overall health, but also characteristics of the tumor itself — its type, molecular features, location, size and how likely it is to spread or recur. Since most brain cancers are challenging to treat, Dr. Baskin encourages choosing a hospital with a history of extensive expertise.

"You want to find a place with a skilled team, particularly one that treats hundreds of brain tumors every year using state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology," explains Dr. Baskin. "For instance, here at Houston Methodist, neuro-oncologists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons all work together to determine the most effective treatment plan for each individual patient and their specific cancer."

That treatment plan might involve any number of impressive tests and tools, ranging from molecular profiling to endoscopy, virtual reality and functional MRI (fMRI). The goal is to perform brain tumor surgery in the safest and most efficient way.

"We now have surgical methods so minimally invasive that we can reach areas of the brain that were previously considered inoperable," says Dr. Baskin. "Virtual reality and augmented reality not only can be used to visualize the tumor and help plan surgery, but even to precisely maneuver instruments during the procedure itself. We can also do MRIs inside the operating room itself to assess whether we completely resected the cancerous tissue. If cells remain, we go back in — and this all happens in real time."

In cases where surgery isn't an option, Dr. Baskin points to the value of clinical trials and the newer brain tumor therapies that have emerged.

"We're seeing tremendous success with experimental treatments for brain cancer with results better than ever seen before," adds Dr. Baskin. "We're truly leading medicine in this field, with many exciting possibilities in the future."