If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you may have heard that seizures can be a part of the journey. But what does that actually mean? What causes them? And—perhaps the biggest question of all—how do you manage them while going through treatment?
Seizures can be unsettling, even scary, but understanding why they happen and how they fit into the broader picture of brain tumor treatment can make a huge difference. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.
What Causes Seizures in Brain Tumor Patients?
A seizure happens when the brain has a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity. Think of it like a power surge in your home—too much electricity all at once can make the lights flicker, appliances act up, or even shut things down completely. In the brain, this can cause symptoms like muscle jerking, confusion, staring spells, or even loss of consciousness.
For brain tumor patients, seizures often happen because:
- The tumor itself is disrupting normal brain activity.
- Swelling (edema) around the tumor is putting pressure on the brain.
- Treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can sometimes trigger seizures as side effects.
Not every brain tumor patient will have seizures, but they’re more common with tumors located in certain areas, like the frontal or temporal lobes. Glioblastomas and gliomas, astrocytomas, and oligodendrogliomas, for example, are more likely to cause seizures than some other types of brain tumors.
One patient at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center described their first seizure like this:
“Pete Morris' life took an unexpected turn in January 2023 while he was driving to a team dinner with his leadership group. As he was parking his car, he suddenly had a grand mal seizure, waking up in an ambulance with no memory of the event.
After undergoing a 72-hour EEG, Pete was diagnosed with epilepsy. A follow-up MRI, however, revealed something more severe: glioblastoma. Their neurologist recommended immediate action, advising them to go straight to the ER for surgery. Within a week—on July 17, 2023—Pete underwent brain surgery, having lived with the glioblastoma for six months without knowing it.
As Pete looks toward the future, he remains hopeful. "Every step of this journey has been challenging, but I’m grateful for the continued support and the incredible advancements in treatment. We’re taking it one day at a time, and right now, life is good."
These experiences vary, and that’s why it’s so important to work with a neurologist who specializes in seizure care to find the right approach for your specific symptoms.
What Do Seizures Feel Like?
Seizures don’t always look like the dramatic convulsions you see in movies. They can be subtle, like sudden lapses in awareness, twitching in one part of the body, or a strange, hard-to-explain sensation that comes and goes. Not everyone loses consciousness either. Some people describe it as feeling “off” for a few seconds before everything returns to normal. Others might lose consciousness completely and wake up disoriented.
Types of Seizures in Brain Tumor Patients
- Focal seizures (partial seizures) affect only one part of the brain and may cause symptoms like tingling, twitching, or brief confusion without full loss of awareness.
- Generalized seizures involve larger areas of the brain and can lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions, or prolonged staring spells.
Hormonal changes—like those during menstruation—can sometimes lower the seizure threshold, making seizures more likely in certain individuals.
How Are Seizures Managed During Brain Tumor Treatment?
The good news is that seizures can often be managed effectively, allowing you to continue treatment and daily life with fewer interruptions. At Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, we take a comprehensive approach to seizure management, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs.
1. Anti-Seizure Medication
One line of defense is anti-seizure medications (also called antiepileptic drugs or AEDs). These help regulate electrical activity in the brain and reduce the likelihood of seizures.
Side effects vary between medications, and finding the right match often takes some trial and error. Your care team will closely monitor your response and adjust as needed.
2. Surgery and Tumor Treatment
If a tumor is pressing on the part of the brain that triggers seizures, removing or shrinking it through surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can sometimes help reduce seizure activity.
3. Lifestyle Adjustments
- Getting enough sleep – Fatigue can be a major seizure trigger.
- Managing stress – Techniques like meditation, gentle exercise, and counseling can help.
- Avoiding alcohol or certain medications – Some substances can lower the seizure threshold.
What to Do If You Witness a Seizure
If you see someone having a seizure, stay calm and follow these steps:
- Time the seizure – Most last under 2 minutes, but if it goes beyond 5 minutes, call 911.
- Keep them safe – Move furniture or objects out of the way.
- Turn them on their side – This helps keep their airway clear.
- Don’t put anything in their mouth – Despite the myth, placing an object between their teeth can actually cause harm.
- Stay with them – They may be confused afterward and need reassurance.
Duke’s Brain Cancer Center Is Here to Help
Seizures can be a challenging part of brain tumor treatment, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. At Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, we offer expert care tailored to your needs, including seizure management plans, medication monitoring, and access
Schedule an appointment today to explore our resources and schedule a consultation. Our compassionate team of doctors is ready to walk with you every step of the way.
Explore our blog to learn more:
- Creating a Healthy Home Environment for Brain Tumor Recovery
- Understanding the Psychological Effects of Brain Tumors
- What Happens If a Benign Tumor Is Left Untreated?
FAQ: Seizures and Brain Tumor Treatment
1. What kind of brain tumor causes seizures?
Brain tumors in the frontal, temporal, or parietal lobes are more likely to cause seizures. Tumor types like glioblastomas, astrocytomas, and oligodendrogliomas have a higher seizure risk.
2. Are seizures a symptom of brain cancer?
Yes, seizures can sometimes be an early symptom of a brain tumor, though not all tumors cause them. They result from the tumor disrupting normal brain function.
3. Can seizures cause brain damage?
Most seizures don’t cause permanent brain damage, but frequent, prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) can be dangerous. This is why proper management is essential.
4. What should I do after a seizure?
Stay with the person until they’re fully aware again. They may feel confused or exhausted. If it’s their first seizure, if it lasts more than 5 minutes, or if another seizure follows quickly, seek emergency medical help.
5. Does the brain go back to normal after a seizure?
For most people, brain function returns to normal after a seizure, but recovery time varies. Some people feel tired or foggy for hours afterward.