A Woman’s Strange Symptoms Misdiagnosed as Menopause and Infection, But the Onset of Blurry Vision Helped to Reveal a Hidden Brain Tumor

Her journey began in the fall of 2022, but it wasn’t until two years later—when her vision began to blur—that the pieces started to fall into place. That change, subtle but alarming, pointed to something far more serious: a brain tumor.

Answers came unexpectedly as she was preparing for a routine check-up related to a previous vaginal cancer diagnosis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Vaginal cancer is a disease in which cells in the vagina grow out of control.”

Tait’s worsening pain made a standard MRI impossible. Her doctor ordered a sedated scan instead. That decision proved lifesaving. The scan revealed a mass in her brain.

“I felt overwhelming relief, but also anger and fear,” Tait said. “The diagnosis has devastated my loved ones. They’ve suffered so much because of it.”

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans offer detailed images of the brain, helping doctors detect tumors based on how they look and behave. However, imaging alone often isn’t enough to fully understand the tumor’s nature. In many cases, the next step is surgery—not just to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but also to confirm a diagnosis through lab analysis of the tissue. Biopsies can be performed during surgery or separately, depending on the situation.

Dr. D. Ryan Ormond, a neurosurgeon at the University of Colorado in Denver, told SurvivorNet that determining whether surgery is a viable option comes first.

“It’s usually pretty straightforward—can we get enough of the tumor out to make a difference in their life with surgery?” Dr. Ormond explained.

WATCH: What to Consider Between Biopsy versus Surgery.

The tumor was identified as a grade 2 benign meningioma—non-cancerous, but still dangerous due to its location. Tait underwent a craniotomy, a delicate brain surgery that involves removing part of the skull to access and extract the tumor.

Dr. Kimberly Hoang, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Emory University School of Medicine, explained the procedure: “We remove the bone overlaying the tumor, open the dura—the brain’s protective envelope—and carefully navigate through tissue to excise as much of the tumor as possible without compromising vital functions or blood vessels.”

Post-surgery, patients are closely monitored and often receive radiation to prevent regrowth. For Tait, the biopsy results brought a wave of relief: no signs of malignancy.

RELATED: Glioma Surgery: What to Expect During an Awake Resection

Today, she continues her recovery with regular checkups and the support of her family.

Better Understanding Brain Tumors

Brain tumors can impact a person’s cognitive function and overall well-being, depending largely on the tumor’s size, type, and specific location within the brain. When large enough, tumors may interfere with the central nervous system, pressing on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or tissues. This disruption may result in difficulties with coordination, balance, or mobility.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors make up 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be benign or malignant, with treatment and symptoms varying based on tumor type and location.

“The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as we can while keeping the patient well neurologically,” Dr. Reid Thompson, Chair of Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet. In other words, to remove as much of the tumor as possible without causing harm to the patient.

Even though surgery can remove a large part of the tumor, any remaining cancer cells can continue to grow over time, leading to the tumor’s return. For this reason, surgery is often followed by other treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy, to try to eliminate any remaining cells.

WATCH: Hope for Glioblastoma Research

While some brain tumors cause noticeable symptoms, others can go unnoticed for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they might include:

• Persistent headaches
• Difficulty speaking or processing thoughts
• Muscle weakness
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Vision disturbances
• Seizures
• Hearing loss
• Confusion
• Memory issues

Treatment Options for Brain Tumors

Treatment strategies for brain cancer depend on several variables, including the tumor’s size, type, grade, and location. Doctors may recommend:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Your medical team will help guide you based on your individual diagnosis. The prognosis—or outlook—depends on:

• Tumor type and growth rate
• Tumor location in the brain
• Presence of genetic mutations or abnormalities
• Whether the entire tumor can be removed
• The patient’s overall health

Types of Brain Tumors: Cancerous and Non-Cancerous

According to the National Cancer Institute, brain tumors can vary greatly in behavior. Some common non-cancerous (benign) types include:

• Chordomas: Slow-growing, often found near the spine’s base or where it meets the skull
• Craniopharyngiomas: Develop near the pituitary gland; rare and slow-growing
• Gangliocytomas: Form in the temporal lobe and affect the central nervous system
• Glomus jugulare: Rare and slow-growing
• Meningiomas: Typically grow on the brain’s outer protective layer (dura mater)
• Pineocytomas: Arise from the pineal gland near the brain’s center
• Pituitary adenomas: Located in the pituitary gland; generally slow-growing
• Schwannomas: Originate in Schwann cells, which insulate nerve fibers
• Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas): Impact on hearing and balance nerves

Common malignant (cancerous) brain tumors include:

• Gliomas: The most frequent and aggressive form of primary brain cancer
• Astrocytomas: Derived from star-shaped brain cells, with four growth grades
• Ependymomas: Graded based on aggressiveness
• Oligodendrogliomas: Can grow slowly (Grade 2) or aggressively (Grade 3)
• Medulloblastomas: Fast-growing and often found in children
• Glioblastomas: The most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults

Understanding the Impact of a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive central nervous system tumor. As the National Cancer Institute explains, glioblastomas “grow and spread very quickly.”

WATCH: Using electric sources to improve glioblastoma treatment.

• Average survival rate: 15 months with treatment, fewer than six months without
• Five-year survival rate: ~6%; those who survive long-term continue treatment indefinitely
• Treatment challenges: Due to their cellular diversity (heterogeneity), glioblastomas are difficult to fully remove via surgery. The remaining cells rapidly grow back after surgery.

Dr. Friedman and other researchers are exploring innovative strategies like poliovirus therapy and immunotherapy to raise survival rates above 20%.

RELATED: Standard of Care Plus & The Treatment Path for High-Grade Gliomas

Risk factors for glioblastoma include:

• Prior radiation exposure
• Male gender
• Age 50+
• Genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and von Hippel-Lindau disease

Common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Mood or personality changes
• Speech difficulties
• Hearing, smell, or vision changes
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Irregular breathing or pulse

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a brain tumor, consider asking:

• What type of brain tumor do I have, and what grade or stage is it?
• What treatment options are available for my specific diagnosis?
• What are the risks and benefits of those treatments?
• What side effects might I expect, and how can they be managed?
• What is my prognosis?
• Will additional tests or imaging be needed to track progress?
• Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
• How might treatment affect my daily life and activities?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---