Seizure is a common symptom in people with brain tumors. For some people, a seizure might be the first clue that something unusual is happening in the brain. Seizures are particularly common with slow-growing gliomas, meningiomas located in the convexity of the brain, and with metastatic brain tumors.
 
A seizure is an attack caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It lasts only a short period of time and may cause unusual movements, a change in the level or loss of consciousness, and/or sensory distortions. There are many different types of seizures. The type you experience depends on which area of the brain has the abnormal electrical signals.

Below are some of the common features of seizures in patients with brain tumors:
Sudden onset.
Loss of consciousness and body tone, followed by twitching and relaxing muscle contractions.
Loss of control of bodily functions.
At risk for biting tongue.
Short periods of no breathing (30 seconds); may turn dusky blue.
Short duration (2-3 minutes).
After effects include sleepiness, headache, confusion, sore muscles, brief weakness, or numbness.

Incidence
About 60% of brain tumor patients will experience seizure at least once during their illness.

Cause
A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Normally, your body’s nerve cells communicate with each other via carefully controlled electric signals. If something interferes with these signals and they become more intense, you are likely to have a seizure.

Most seizures occur randomly, at any time, and without any particular cause. However, there may be advance notice. People who regularly have seizures sometimes notice things that may signal an oncoming seizure. This warning is called an "aura." Auras sometimes take the form of a headache, a change of mood, a muscle twitch, or a particular smell.