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Although most people who suffer from headache do not present with an underlying mass lesion, a large number of patients with brain tumors do complain of headache (as many as 60% in our institution). The problem for clinicians is that the tumor-headache association is not universal, as evidenced by anecdotal reports of patients with large tumors, elevated intracranial pressure but a complete absence of headache. In this chapter, we examine over 80 years of research on brain tumor headaches, delineating the link between tumor location, laterality, growth-rate, and pain. Most importantly, we position our review within the context of current aetiological theories and propose new models involving the peripheral and central sensitization of nociresponsive neurons. A brief examination of headaches as a result of surgery and adjuvant chemo-radiation therapy is also provided.

The last few decades have seen an increase in the amount of research dedicated to the quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors, especially for breast and lung cancers. Unfortunately, relatively little attention has been paid to the QOL of neuro-oncology patients. Moreover, reports on the QOL of brain cancer patients are often qualitative and/or converge on a single dimension of well-being. Future QOL studies will have to focus on multiple dimensions of QOL, establishing prospective evaluations of baseline and serial parameters. Research objectives should also include the concomitant exploration of radiological, histopathological, and patient-related factors as potential predictors of QOL. Comprehensive models are particularly useful because they can help account for the reciprocal connections often observed between baseline variables, and because they promise to shed light on some of the contradictory results observed in the field, such as the presumed long-term benefits of resection. Empirical QOL data obtained within a biopsychosocial framework may guide the development of new treatment avenues and may help promote the application of focused, patient-centered support programs.