Cancer Brain Tumors Hemangioblastoma Guide Hemangioblastoma Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Symptoms of Hemangioblastoma By Shamard Charles, MD, MPH Shamard Charles, MD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Shamard Charles, MD, is a physician-journalist and public health doctor who advances health policy through health communication and health promotion. Learn about our editorial process Published on September 15, 2021 Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD LinkedIn Nicholas R. Metrus, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He currently serves at the Glasser Brain Tumor Center in Summit, New Jersey. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rarer Symptoms Potential Complications When to See a Doctor Next in Hemangioblastoma Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Hemangioblastoma Symptoms of hemangioblastoma include headaches, sensory loss, balance and coordination problems, and hydrocephalus (buildup of spinal fluid in the brain). Depending on the location and size of the tumor, more rare neurological symptoms can occur, like limb weakness or neurological bladder. The cause of hemangioblastomas is a mystery, although some people may develop them as part of a genetic syndrome called Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL is characterized by the growth of a variety of benign and malignant tumors. This article will discuss common symptoms of hemangioblastomas to watch out for, potential complications, and when to see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Jamie Grill / Getty Images Frequent Symptoms Most people with hemangioblastomas will develop symptoms, but this is not always the case. Symptoms vary from person to person and some people have few or no symptoms at all. Your symptoms will depend on the location and size of the tumor. Some common symptoms include: HeadacheNausea or vomitingDizziness or vertigo Balance and coordination issues, or ataxiaBlurry vision or vision loss if the tumor affects the retina Rarer Symptoms Although hemangioblastomas are benign (not harmful) and grow slowly, the tumors can press against structures of the central nervous system and cause neurological symptoms. These symptoms might include the following: Lower extremity weakness, or weakness in the legsUpper limb weakness, or weakness in the armsNeurogenic bladder, or a lack of bladder control due to a nervous system injury Potential Complications Sporadic hemangioblastoma tumors usually appear in people who are in their 50s or 60s, whereas VHL-associated tumors are often detected earlier, when people are in their 30s or 40s. The presence of a hemangioblastoma may suggest an underlying genetic abnormality. If one is detected, it is likely that you will undergo genetic testing for VHL and surveillance (closely watching) of your tumor. Large hemangioblastomas that are left untreated can cause damage to the nerves of the brain, and even vision loss. Eventually, untreated hemangioblastomas can lead to complications, like a buildup of fluid in the brain. In fact, experts estimate hydrocephalus develops in 5%–29% of patients. Hydrocephalus may cause altered mental status in about 10% of these cases. Regular checkups with your doctor are important to monitor the growth, size, and appearance of these benign tumors. When to See a Healthcare Professional Hemangioblastomas can cause significant neurological symptoms and irreversible damage if they are not addressed in a timely fashion. Some people learn to live with some changes to their neurological function, but you should check in with a healthcare professional if you experience even mild changes in your symptoms. Any change may indicate new or recurrent tumor growth. If you are having new difficulties with balance and coordination, weakness in your legs, changes in your vision, loss of bowel or bladder control, or loss of your sensory abilities, seek immediate medical attention. A Word From Verywell Hemangioblastomas are usually slow growing, but based on their typical location, which usually is near a large blood supply, these vascular tumors can grow quickly. If you are diagnosed with a hemangioblastoma, check in with your doctor regularly. Monitoring your symptoms and getting treatment, like surgery or radiation, are also important steps to improving your quality of life and improving your overall outlook. 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Hemangioblastoma. American Brain Tumor Association. Hemangioma By Shamard Charles, MD, MPH Shamard Charles, MD, MPH is a public health physician and journalist. He has held positions with major news networks like NBC reporting on health policy, public health initiatives, diversity in medicine, and new developments in health care research and medical treatments. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit