Intracranial tumors — cancerous or noncancerous tumors growing in the brain — can cause an acquired brain injury (ABI). Tumors can kill surrounding brain cells as they grow. The damage done depends on the area of the brain, the size of the tumor, and other factors.
The treatment for these tumors can also cause brain injuries. Below, we discuss intracranial tumor-acquired brain injuries.
Intracranial Tumors Cause ABIs in Several Ways
A growing tumor places pressure on other brain cells and structures. This causes a focal brain injury, which can impact the parts of the body controlled by that area of the brain.
Some intracranial tumors are benign, while others are malignant. The latter requires treatment, such as:
- Surgeries
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
These treatments can be effective but may result in additional brain injuries. For example, chemotherapy and radiation can cause diffuse brain injuries. Even skilled surgeons can inadvertently cause other brain injuries during difficult operations.
ABIs From Intracranial Tumors Have Many Symptoms
Every brain tumor is different and will affect each patient uniquely. Even two similar tumors in similar areas of the brain may result in different symptoms.
Because intracranial tumors usually cause focal injuries, their location plays a key role in the symptoms a person may experience. Some symptoms may be temporary and will disappear after the tumor is removed. Others remain, even after the tumor is removed.
Some common symptoms and effects of an intracranial tumor and ABI include:
- Impairments related to mobility and dexterity
- Loss of speech
- Problems with concentration and focus
- Memory struggles
- Severe fatigue and sleep disorders
- Coordination, including dizziness and balance issues
- Headaches
- Double vision
- Loss of sense of smell
- Deafness or ringing in the ears
- Other sensory changes
- Emotional and behavioral changes
- Changes in personality
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Disorientation and confusion
Treatment and Rehabilitation for an Intracranial Tumor With ABI
Brain injuries may remain, even after the tumor is removed. These brain injuries vary from mild to severe and can affect almost any part of the body. Some people heal from their brain injuries within a few weeks and quickly adapt to lasting impairments.
Other brain injuries, however, require extensive therapies, such as:
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
Not everyone is able to make a full recovery. Therapy can help those with mild injuries learn new ways of doing things and allow them to enjoy a measure of independence. Meanwhile, others with more severe brain injuries may never regain their full independence. They may require in-home or ongoing care in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.
Intracranial Tumors, ABIs, and Civil Suits for Compensation
You may have a strong civil case if a doctor failed to diagnose or properly treat your brain tumor. An intracranial tumor that grows unchecked can cause additional brain injuries or even death.
For example, you suffer serious headaches and experience problems with coordination and dexterity for a time. You mention these symptoms to your doctor, but he fails to run the requisite brain scans. Instead, he prescribes you allergy medication for your headache and ignores all your other symptoms. Months later, you experience a seizure, and the emergency room doctors discover a large intracranial tumor in your brain.
Pursue Compensation in Your Case
You may have a viable medical malpractice claim against the doctor who failed to diagnose you properly. Let the personal injury team from Newsome | Melton evaluate your case and explain your options for taking legal action. Our brain injury lawyers have more than 20 years of experience and know what it takes to win.
Call us today at (800) 917-5888 to get started with a free case review.