Headache in Brain Tumors

The prevalence of brain tumors in patients with headache is very low; however, 48% to 71% of patients with brain tumors experience headache. The clinical presentation of headache in brain tumors varies according to age; intracranial pressure ; tumor location, type, and progression; headache history; and treatment . Brain tumor-associated headaches can be caused by local and distant traction on pain-sensitive cranial structures, mass effect caused by the enlarging tumor and cerebral edema , infarction, hemorrhage, hydrocephalus , and tumor secretion. This article reviews the current findings related to epidemiologic details, clinical manifestations, mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and management of headache in association with brain tumors.