Which set of symptoms is commonly seen with a brain tumor?

• A. Headache worse in afternoon, rash
• B. Headache worse in morning, seizures, focal deficits, cognitive changes
• C. Constipation, malaise, fever
• D. Chest pain, dyspnea, edema

Answer: (B)

Brain tumors often present with symptoms from raised intracranial pressure and direct disruption of brain function. A morning headache pattern fits raised intracranial pressure, since pressure tends to be higher during sleep and upon waking. Seizures occur when the tumor irritates the cortical areas. Focal deficits reflect the tumor’s location—for example, weakness, sensory changes, or language problems depending on which brain region is affected. Cognitive changes can arise from the mass effect interfering with neural networks. The other symptom clusters don’t align with brain tumors: a rash with headache isn’t typical, systemic symptoms like constipation, malaise, or fever point more to infection or systemic illness, and chest pain with dyspnea and edema suggests cardiopulmonary disease rather than a brain tumor.