Brain melanoma symptoms: what to know

Melanoma can spread from the skin or another site to the brain, where a growth may affect nearby tissue or alter pressure inside the skull. Symptoms depend on its location and size. Headache that is new or worsening, nausea with headache, personality change, difficulty finding words, one-sided weakness, numbness, unsteady walking, or a first seizure deserve medical assessment. These symptoms can also have causes unrelated to cancer, so they cannot identify melanoma by themselves.

Contact the clinician managing your melanoma promptly about any new neurological change. Assessment may include a neurological examination and brain imaging, followed by specialist review if a lesion is found. Bring a list of medicines, previous melanoma reports, and the timing and pattern of each symptom. Do not drive if you have had a seizure, fainting episode, or sudden loss of coordination.

Call emergency services for a seizure lasting several minutes, repeated seizures without recovery, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, collapse, severe confusion, or a sudden severe headache. New symptoms in someone with known melanoma should be treated as time-sensitive even when they seem mild or intermittent.

Ask which symptoms should trigger an emergency call, whether brain imaging is appropriate, how current medicines could affect the symptoms, and which melanoma specialists should coordinate your care.