Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Urgent or emergency symptoms
Seek urgent medical help (emergency care or urgent evaluation) if you have:
a new seizure (first-time seizure) or a seizure that does not stop
sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking, severe confusion, or fainting
sudden vision loss or rapidly worsening vision
a new, severe headache unlike your usual headaches
repeated vomiting with worsening headache or increasing sleepiness
any fast neurological change over hours to a day (balance, walking, strength, speech)
Contact your healthcare team soon (but not necessarily emergency) if you have:
headaches becoming more frequent or harder to control
seizures increasing in frequency or becoming harder to describe
gradual worsening weakness, numbness, or balance over weeks
ongoing nausea, appetite changes, or increasing fatigue
new cognitive or speech difficulties that slowly progress
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Others need urgent attention.
If you are already receiving cancer treatment, these symptoms still warrant prompt assessment, because they can reflect swelling, bleeding, infection, or other urgent problems.
These can often be reviewed during planned visits or arranged sooner if the pattern is changing.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Some symptoms can be handled through planned appointments.
Routine follow-up symptoms
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on General brain tumors. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.