One last question. I guess I'm confused in what head pressure should feel like and if when I'm laying down and I feel pressure if that's different? Would feeling something when mean something's pushing on something? Last question thanks.
No, not really--the feelings are more related to stress, or may herald something wrong like a pinched nerve, but conditions like metastasis and raised intracranial pressure usually do not present with the above mentioned symptoms except probably head pressure.
Would a metastasis to the brain present itself with pressure when laying down or feeling like there is actual tumors in your head? Basically feeling something or would you usually not be able to feel anything.
Same with intercrainial pressure would you be able to technically feel that only sometimes or would it be an on going pressure not relieved when standing. Thanks
Hi!
If a wait and watch policy was adopted then probably you have a follicular or a slow growing B-cell lymphoma. Usually this would not metastasize to brain that early. Also, if there was a brain metastasis then this would cause symptoms like (any one a combination of them) numbness, fits, loss of function of a limb, headache, nausea, vomiting, hearing problem, vision problems etc. So, if you do not have these, then symptom wise a brain metastasis is less likely. Pressure on head along may or may not be related to metastasis. However, nothing can be said for sure unless a PET scan or MRI is done along with blood tests.
Raised intracranial pressure also causes symptoms like numbness, fits, loss of function of a limb, headache, nausea, vomiting, hearing problem, vision problems etc. This may be difficult to diagnose on symptoms alone, just like metastasis. So, you would need test like eye examination to look for papilledema, or do a spinal tap to look for raised intracranial pressure. Brain herniation also produces similar symptoms. This can be diagnosed by a brain MRI.
Regarding your feeling of a ball or lump in the head: this may just be a feeling of heaviness or due to anxiety or could be a stress related symptom. It is not really possible to feel a lump inside the skull. Head pressure can also be a symptom of anxiety and stress.
It is important to consult an oncologist today and get a complete assessment. If it was a slow growing lymphoma, then probably it would not have spread much. However, it may be possible that by now the cancer has spread enough to need anti-cancer drugs.
Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!