Teen discovers he has a brain tumor months after being misdiagnosed with mental health issues

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

2 2 minutes read

Updated on June 23, 2024 at 11:00 p.m. IST

Oscar Fairs began suffering from regular panic attacks, severe headaches, voices in his head and heart palpitations.

A teenager discovers he has a brain tumor months after being misdiagnosed with mental health problems. (Image credits: iStock)

In shocking news, a teenager discovered he was suffering from brain tumour a few months after being wrongly diagnosed with certain Mental Health conditions, following which he was asked to stop using his phone. Appointed Oscar Fairsthe 14-year-old began suffering from regular panic attacks, severe headaches, voices in his head and heart palpitations.

For about 8 months, his family was told that his symptoms were due to certain mental health issues. He was also referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Oscar took counseling, but things only got worse for him.

Seeing no improvement in him, Oscar's mother, Natalie, took her son to a GP who diagnosed him with a migraine. He said, “Put him in a dark room for four days without his phone.” Shocked by this advice, Natalie took Oscar for an MRI where he was diagnosed with a 7cm brain tumor.

Doctors mentioned that Oscar's tumor could have been growing in his brain for two years. Although he was given a grim prognosis and told to prepare for palliative care, Oscar's tumor shrank with chemotherapy and radiation and he is now part of a clinical trial .

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor, also known as brain cancer, occurs when abnormal cells form in the brain. According to experts, there are more than 40 types of brain tumors that can be life-threatening. Brain tumors vary in size from very small to very large. Some brain tumors are detected when they are very small, because they cause symptoms that are noticed immediately. Other brain tumors have become very large before they are even discovered.

Symptoms of a brain tumor

Symptoms of a brain tumor depend on its size and location. Symptoms may also depend on how quickly the brain tumor grows, also called the grade of the tumor. General signs and symptoms may include:

Headache or pressure in the head.
Frequent headaches.
Nausea or vomiting.
Eye problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision.
Balance problem.
Speech problems.
I feel very tired.
Confusion in daily affairs.
Memory problems.
Having difficulty following simple commands.
Changes in personality or behavior.
Seizures, especially if there is no history of seizures.
Hearing problems.
Vertigo.
Being very hungry and gaining weight.

Brain tumors that are not cancerous tend to cause symptoms that usually develop slowly. Noncancerous brain tumors are also called benign brain tumors. These can cause subtle symptoms that you don't notice at first. Symptoms may worsen over months or years.

Oscar Fairs began suffering from regular panic attacks, severe headaches, voices in his head and heart palpitations.

What is a brain tumor?

Symptoms of a brain tumor

Lina Portman

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