Persistent Headaches Could Signal Brain Tumour, Neurosurgeon Warns

Headaches are often regarded as a minor health complaint. However, the public needs to be vigilant if the pain occurs continuously and increases in intensity, as this condition could be an indication of a brain tumour.

Neurosurgeon at Columbia Asia Hospital Pulomas, East Jakarta, Dr Dhira Atman, explained that headaches are the most standard symptom for those suffering from brain tumours. The primary difference lies in the pattern of pain experienced by the patient.

“The characteristic feature is that the pain becomes progressively heavier, because the mass inside the brain is also growing larger,” Dhira said in Jakarta on Monday (29/6/2026).

Dhira explained that headaches caused by brain tumours have different characteristics compared to migraines or tension headaches. In migraines, pain usually appears occasionally and can subside before recurring. Meanwhile, tension headaches are generally triggered by stress or fatigue and improve after rest.

“Conversely, a headache caused by a brain tumour is continuous. Logically, as the mass inside the head grows larger, the pressure on the brain also increases. Therefore, the pain becomes more severe and does not go away,” he explained.

In addition to headaches, the symptoms of a brain tumour depend heavily on the location where the tumour grows. Small brain tumours often develop without causing significant complaints. This causes many patients to only seek medical assistance when the tumour size has increased and is significantly pressing on brain tissue.

“The larger the size of the tumour when discovered, the more complex the surgical procedure becomes,” said Dhira.

He urged the public to undergo medical examinations immediately if experiencing long-lasting headaches, especially if the frequency and intensity of the pain continue to increase over time.