Overview
Most headaches aren't tumors.
New neurologic symptoms need imaging.
When to get medical care
Causes
Causes include brain tumors, high pressure, and other conditions.
OwieClear has pages on 12 conditions that can cause headaches that keep getting worse over weeks, or with a new seizure or personality change. Each shows how soon to get care.
Common causes
- Brain germ cell tumor (germinoma)Often needs care today
Rare brain tumors in children and young adults that usually grow near the pineal or pituitary gland.
- Brain tumor (needs checking)Often needs care today
A growth in or around the brain, which may or may not be cancer.
- CNS neuroblastoma, FOXR2-activatedOften needs care today
A rare brain tumor of young children, defined by a FOXR2 gene change.
- Diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3 G34-mutantOften needs care today
A rare, aggressive brain tumor of teens and young adults in the cerebral hemispheres.
- EpendymomaOften needs care today
A tumor that starts in the cells lining the fluid spaces of the brain and spinal cord.
- GlioblastomaOften needs care today
The most common and most aggressive brain cancer in adults.
- Glioma and astrocytoma (including glioblastoma)Often needs care today
Brain tumors that start in glial cells, the support cells of the brain.
- MedulloblastomaOften needs care today
A fast-growing brain tumor that starts in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance.
- Pediatric low-grade glioma (including pilocytic astrocytoma)Often needs care today
The most common brain tumors in children.
- PineoblastomaOften needs care today
A rare, fast-growing brain tumor of the pineal gland, mostly in children.
- Primary CNS lymphomaOften needs care today
A rare lymphoma that starts in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, or the fluid around the brain.
Less likely causes
- AIDS-related lymphomaOften needs care today
Lymphoma that happens in people with HIV, especially when the immune system is weak.
What you can do at home
- Track symptoms.
Medicines
Depends on cause.
At the doctor
Imaging checks.
Questions you may be asked
- Pattern
The exam
A nerve exam.
Tests
- MRI
Prevention
Early care.
- Get checked
Check your symptoms
Most symptoms have more than one possible cause. The symptom checker looks at all of your symptoms together, plus your age, and shows how soon to get care.
Sources
Last updated 2026-11-13.