This is a symptom of a brain tumor that many people do not take seriously.

A brain tumor develops due to the appearance of abnormal cells in the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant (cancerous) and benign.

Cancerous tumors can be divided into primary tumors, which originate in the brain, and secondary tumors, which are the result of the spread of other tumors present elsewhere in the body and are also known as metastatic brain tumors.

With any type of brain tumor, various symptoms may occur depending on the affected area of the brain. These symptoms include headaches, seizures, vision problems, vomiting, and mental or behavioral changes.

Headaches are usually more severe in the morning and may subside after vomiting. Other symptoms may include difficulties with walking, speech problems, and sensory disturbances. As the disease progresses, loss of consciousness may occur.

The signs and symptoms of brain tumors are wide-ranging. Patients may experience them regardless of whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Primary and secondary brain tumors present with the same symptoms, which depend on the tumor’s location, size, and growth rate. For example, large tumors in the frontal lobe can cause changes in cognitive abilities. Meanwhile, small tumors in Wernicke’s area (a small region responsible for speech comprehension) can lead to the loss of a large portion of function.

Changes in the sense of smell may be a symptom of a tumor, particularly a brain tumor. “People diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, have reported that unpleasant smells seemed to follow them everywhere. For example, a British man named Alex said that for several days in a row he woke up to a strong smell of burnt rubber. Soon, tests and MRI scans revealed a frightening diagnosis—glioblastoma,” writes the publication Doctor Peter.