Can Cancer Cause Dizziness?

Dizziness can indeed be a symptom experienced by some cancer patients. The underlying causes vary depending on individual circumstances, and several common reasons are outlined below.

1. Tumor Metastasis

Patients with brain metastases or metastatic brain tumors may experience dizziness due to the tumor affecting cranial nerves or causing increased intracranial pressure. In addition to dizziness, some patients may also suffer from headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

2. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy-Related Dizziness

Chemotherapy can cause dizziness in some patients. Certain chemotherapeutic agents may affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as dizziness. Additionally, some drugs can impair heart function, reducing the heart's ejection fraction and leading to inadequate blood flow to the brain, which may also result in dizziness.

Radiotherapy-Related Dizziness

Radiation therapy can also cause dizziness in some individuals. Moreover, patients undergoing targeted therapy may experience elevated blood pressure as a side effect, which can contribute to feelings of lightheadedness.

3. Coexisting Medical Conditions

In some cases, dizziness in cancer patients may not be directly caused by the cancer itself or its treatment, but rather by other pre-existing conditions. For example, patients with concurrent hypertension or coronary artery disease may experience dizziness unrelated to their cancer diagnosis.