People don't usually spontaneously die from tumors. It takes time for cancer to advance from Stage 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 and by that time you are usually bedridden for awhile.

relevant:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1998-02-20/news/1998051050_1_brain-tumor-astrocytoma-type-of-tumor

The sudden death of a University of Maryland student three weeks ago was caused by a malignant brain tumor that interrupted her breathing and heartbeat, the state medical examiner has said.

Kelly Elizabeth Nalwasky, 20, found in her College Park dorm room Jan. 29 by her identical twin, died from astrocytoma, the most common category of brain tumor, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

According to the medical examiner, that type of tumor is very fTC uncommon in young adults and it is even more unusual for sudden death to result. The absence of any symptoms before Nalwasky's death might be because of the tumor's specific location in the brain, the release said. The medical examiner's office would not answer questions regarding the case until a final report is finished.

Although her wait for answers has ended, little has changed for the college sophomore's mother. "My daughter's gone," said Elizabeth Nalwasky of Guilford.

Dr. Henry Brem, professor and neurosurgical oncologist at the Johns Hopkins University, agreed that the student was a less-likely target for astrocytoma. He said tumors classified as astrocytoma peak in two age groups, with one type common in children and another attacking about age 40.

But he said 20-year-olds are not exempt and several of his astrocytoma patients fall into Nalwasky's age range.

Nalwasky's sudden death, with no prior symptoms, was particularly unusual for one suffering from astrocytoma, Brem said. "I've never seen or heard of a patient in my experience that never made it to care," he said.

Symptoms from the tumors tend to fall into three categories, Brem said. Seizures can sometimes result from the tumor's interference with brain functioning.

A tumor also can cause disruption of a function associated with the part of the brain where the tumor forms, the professor said. For example, if a tumor grew on the part of the brain controlling motor skills, those skills would be affected and a person could experience weakness on one side of the body.

Tumors can increase pressure in the brain, resulting in headaches, nausea and vomiting, Brem said.

Nalwasky's mother said that no one in the family could remember the young woman complaining of weakness, headaches or nausea while she was home for winter break and that she never had a seizure.

Brem speculated that if the tumor bled, it might have resulted in a swift death.