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Under your skull, between your brain and the top of the neck, is an area called the skull base. The space is home to a platform where the brain sits. It¡¯s also home to other important structures like blood vessels, nerves and your spinal cord.?These nerves play an important role in how you see, hear, speak, swallow, breathe, taste and smell.

Skull base tumors can be anywhere inside this cavity. Because they can be so broad, there are many myths surrounding skull base tumors.

Skull base tumor surgeon , debunks four of them.

Myth 1: A bump on your skull is a symptom of skull base tumor.

Fact: Since the skull base is within the helmet of your skull, you won¡¯t be able to feel a tumor the way you might be able to feel a swollen lymph node or a tumor in another part of your body.

Instead, when skull base tumors grow, you¡¯ll experience symptoms caused by the tumor pressing against other structures inside your skull.? ?

Blurry vision, double vision or changes in your perception of color could be symptoms of a tumor near your optic nerves.

If a tumor is pressing on the ears, you may feel dizzy, have trouble hearing or experience ringing in your ears. Tumors in the sinus cavity can affect your sense of smell or cause symptoms that mimic the common cold or a sinus infection.

Nerves in your skull control a lot of other major functions, including talking, walking and swallowing. Skull base tumors near these nerves can impact each of these functions.?

?Sometimes skull base tumors can affect your pituitary glands, which disrupt hormones. In women, this may cause irregular periods.

Since these symptoms can be signs of less serious conditions, it¡¯s important to talk to your primary care doctor if you¡¯re experiencing them without relief for more than two weeks.

Myth 2: All skull base tumors are cancerous.

Fact: Skull base tumors can be either cancerous or benign. The most common skull base tumor, meningioma, isn¡¯t cancerous. Acoustic neuromas are also benign.

These benign tumors are often diagnosed by accident. For example, if a patient has an accidental fall and gets an MRI, they may learn about a tumor.?

Whether or not your tumor is cancerous, it¡¯s important to get the right diagnosis so you can get the right treatment and avoid long-term problems.

Myth 3: Skull base tumors aren¡¯t curable.

Fact: The truth is, there isn¡¯t an area of the skull base that we can¡¯t treat.

But that wasn¡¯t always the case. Until the early 1990s, skull base surgery wasn¡¯t even classified as a specialty. Brain surgeons used to go as far down as they could go, and head and neck surgeons would go as far up as they could go. But there weren¡¯t any skull base experts to surgically remove these tumors.

Now, MD Anderson is home to a world-renowned Skull Base Tumor Program with seven surgeons specifically dedicated to skull base tumors. But surgery is just one part of the equation.

We¡¯ve also established less invasive surgical techniques, which limit our contact with the brain, reducing the risk of side effects. The goal is to get rid of the tumor while preserving the patient¡¯s quality of life.?

Radiation therapy, including proton therapy, is emerging as an effective way to treat some tumors and reduce or even eliminate the need for surgery.

Chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies are also options for shrinking tumors before surgery and radiation.

Sometimes, we may not even treat a tumor. At least, not right away. Some benign skull base tumors are slow growing and don¡¯t cause any other problems. In those cases, surgery to remove the tumor could cause more problems than the tumor itself. ?

There are also other specialists that help patients recover from skull base tumor treatment. These include plastic and reconstructive surgeons, speech and swallowing therapists, dental and oral surgeons, and other experts depending on the area of the tumor and the treatment.

Myth 4: You can go anywhere for skull base tumor treatment.

Fact: Your life depends on where you go first for skull base tumor treatment. We often see patients at MD Anderson who¡¯ve been misdiagnosed. When you don¡¯t get the right diagnosis, you can¡¯t get the right treatment. And unfortunately, if you start with the wrong treatment, your future treatment options may be limited.

It¡¯s understandable to want to seek care close to home or with a doctor you¡¯re familiar with, but expertise matters ¨C especially with rare diseases like skull base tumors. But getting the right treatment the first time is key to overcoming skull base tumors.

At MD Anderson, we see hundreds of skull base tumors every year, and we have clinical trials dedicated to creating more effective treatment options for patients.

Even if it may take more time to get an appointment, taking the time to get the right diagnosis before you start treatment is the best way to ensure you get the right treatment and the fastest route to recovery.

or by calling 1-877-632-6789.

Headaches, seizures and weakness throughout the body can all be potential brain tumor symptoms. Because these symptoms can also be signs of other conditions, how do you know the difference between a common headache and something more serious?

We met with neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist to learn about brain tumor symptoms. But first, let¡¯s start with the basics.

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain that might be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). When people think about brain tumors, they most likely think it¡¯s anything that occurs inside the head.

The way brain tumors are categorized depends on where they are in the skull. ¡°Tumors are typically named by the cells that they derive from,¡± Weinberg says. ¡°For example, astrocytoma is a type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. It begins in cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.¡±

What are common brain tumor signs and symptoms?

There are a few common brain tumor symptoms. These include:

Headaches

Red flags include headaches that:

• won't go away after you try over-the-counter pain medication
• make you vomit
• wake you up in the middle of the night?
• are worse when you lie flat

¡°If you have a headache and notice other neurologic symptoms, such as weakness or feeling uncoordinated, these are all warning signs that something may be going on that warrants medical attention,¡± Weathers says. ¡°It might not mean that it¡¯s a brain tumor, but it¡¯s a sign that you should see a doctor urgently.

Seizures?

A seizure can be related to many different types of diagnoses. For a brain tumor, a seizure might occur because the tumor is irritating that part of the brain. Seizures also vary in how they present. ¡°A seizure doesn¡¯t have to be a big event where someone loses consciousness and shakes all over,¡± Weathers says. ¡°It can be more subtle than that.¡± A seizure might target a certain part of the body and cause tingling in the arm or leg, confusion, or trouble speaking.

Changes related to motor function of the brain

Depending on the location of the brain tumor, it might affect the motor function of the brain. Some people might experience weakness of the face, arms or legs. If a tumor involves a sensory area, a patient may experience numbness.

¡°The person could also have difficulty speaking, understanding or both,¡± Weathers says. ¡°And very rarely, if a tumor involves the back part of the brain near the brainstem, they can present with incoordination. This includes difficulty with balance, either with walking or using the arms and legs.¡±

¡°If there¡¯s pressure on the cranial nerves, you¡¯re going to have dysfunction from what that nerve does,¡± Weinberg says. ¡°An acoustic neuroma might present itself through ringing in the ear or weakness of the face. You can have pressure on the nerve that controls the tongue, so your tongue might not stick out straight. Pituitary tumors might cause blind spots. You can have an eye movement disability, and sometimes patients won¡¯t be able to look straight up.¡±

Are symptoms different for malignant versus benign brain tumors?

Unfortunately, there is no specific symptom that confirms whether someone has a brain tumor, whether it be malignant or benign.

?

Sometimes, low-grade tumors, such as oligodendrogliomas, have a higher tendency to present with a seizure versus a high-grade tumor such as a glioblastoma, says Weathers. If a tumor is growing rapidly, the patient may experience new headaches that cause nausea and vomiting.

• Related: Glioblastoma symptoms

When should I contact you¡¯re my doctor if I start to notice brain tumor symptoms?

Reach out to your primary care doctor when a symptom is new and different.

¡°All of these symptoms might be caused by something different, but if symptoms like a headache continue to become more painful or severe over the course of a few weeks, it deserves to be looked at,¡± Weinberg says.

How will my doctor determine if I have a brain tumor?

Your primary care doctor will most likely evaluate you in person to look for anything abnormal. This evaluation might include imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI. If there¡¯s an urgent need for care, such as extreme headaches or a seizure, you may need to go to an emergency room for evaluation.

Brain tumor symptoms can overlap with symptoms related to other medical conditions. Experiencing any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have a brain tumor, but it¡¯s important to see a doctor to determine

Request an appointment at MD Anderson online?or by calling 1-877-632-6789.

In summer 2012, I participated in a volleyball game at church camp. At times, I felt slightly lightheaded.

This sensation had been occurring for several weeks, but I had discounted since it had always resolved quickly and never caused me any pain or discomfort. However, the sensations became more frequent at camp.

I called my parents. My father thought it was likely a blood pressure issue and insisted that I see a cardiologist.

The cardiologist agreed, saying the sensation was the result of my body adjusting to the activities.

I mentioned that I also experienced a flushing sensation in the back of my head, behind my right ear. The cardiologist, wanting to rule out a possible aneurysm, ordered an MRI.

The result: I had an acoustic neuroma, a slow-growing tumor on the nerve that connects the brain to the ear. It affects hearing and balance and, as it enlarges, pushes on the brain and causes neurological issues.

My acoustic neuroma was non-cancerous. But I'm a musician, and I could have single-side deafness.

Saving my hearing meant turning to MD Anderson
A hearing specialist confirmed my diagnosis and performed a hearing exam, which showed perfect hearing.

The tumor had not impacted my hearing. Yet.

The specialist gave me two options: wait and watch, or surgery.

If I chose surgery, the specialist recommended the translabyrinthine approach, which meant I'd lose hearing in my right ear and my right balancing nerves and possibly have partial face paralysis.

Untreated, the acoustic neuroma would eventually take my right side hearing, but I would have more time to enjoy it.

Neither seemed like a good option. I realized that I didn't have a hearing problem, but a tumor problem. So, I did some research and found the best facility to treat my acoustic neuroma: MD Anderson.?

, in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, and , in the Department of Neurosurgery, agreed that the best treatment to save my hearing was surgery -- the middle fossa approach.

Producing my first single before surgery??
One of my concerns with single-side deafness was that I wouldn't be able to hear and play music as I had before. And, as my surgery date approached, the reality of other possible surgical complications, like facial paralysis, began to set in.

So, I was eager to write and record music with my band, The Driftwood, before surgery. We wrote and recorded our first single.

On August 14, 2012, I underwent surgery.?

The surgery was a success. I had a great chance to retain overall good hearing in my right ear, and any facial paralysis should be very minimal. However, I developed a , a collection of blood compressing my brain tissue, which required a second surgery.

Trust, music and faith pull me through
I didn't truly see death as a possibility until my second surgery. My parents said that I appeared to take the situation calmly.

I was never overly worried. I had trust in the Lord, my parents and my MD Anderson care team. In particular, I trusted that Dr. Gidley and Dr. DeMonte knew what they were doing.

There were times I listened to music because I knew I might not be able to experience it the same way again. I was also drawn closer to God because I saw -- through the people that showed their support and love and lent their prayers -- how much he was in control of the situation.

It's been almost six months since my surgery. My hearing is very good with only minimal loss in very high frequencies. I have no permanent facial paralysis, and my body has adjusted well to the loss of my right balancing nerve.

Life is an opportunity
When reflecting on my experiences, I am amazed by the power, communication, and togetherness of the team at?MD Anderson. At this point in my life, everything has returned to normal. I am carrying a full semester at Oklahoma Baptist University while working three part-time jobs. I feel no different than any other individual.

I view life in much the same way as I did before the surgery, but with a deeper understanding. Life is short, and undesired trials will present themselves. However, these trials should never hinder anyone from enjoying life, but rather be a tool to change what we see unfit in the world. I also believe that individuals will mostly be remembered by their character, which many times is defined by how they react to trials.

Though I have come to realize much about myself in the last six months, one simple line can sum it all up:? life is an opportunity. It would be an insult to waste this amazing gift of life. I encourage people to live life to the fullest. Do not waste your lifetime moping over the trials you face, but rather rejoice in the trials for they will enable you to become the person you were meant to be.?