Many people first notice glioblastoma when sudden, persistent headaches feel different from their usual, sometimes worse in the morning or with coughing or bending. Others come in after a new seizure, changes in vision or speech, weakness or numbness on one side, or personality and memory changes that family spots before they do. If symptoms appear quickly or keep getting worse over days to weeks, that pattern often prompts urgent brain imaging, which is how glioblastoma is first found.
Condition
Glioblastoma
This condition has the following symptoms:
HeadachesSeizuresConfusionWeakness or numbnessSpeech problemsNausea and vomitingVision changesGlioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer that grows quickly and presses on nearby brain tissue. People with glioblastoma often notice headaches, nausea, seizures, or changes in thinking, mood, or speech. It can occur at any age but is most common in older adults, and it tends to progress over weeks to months. Treatment usually includes surgery when possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy, and sometimes tumor-treating fields. Despite treatment, glioblastoma has a serious outlook, but supportive care and rehabilitation can improve quality of life.
Short Overview
Symptoms
Glioblastoma symptoms often develop quickly and depend on where the tumor grows. Common symptoms include worsening headaches, seizures, nausea, confusion, memory or personality changes, and weakness, numbness, or speech or vision problems. Sudden, severe symptoms warrant urgent medical care.
Outlook and Prognosis
Glioblastoma is aggressive, and treatment aims to slow it down, ease symptoms, and help you stay active. Many people undergo surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy; targeted drugs and clinical trials may add options. Close follow-up guides next steps and supports quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Glioblastoma’s cause is usually unknown. Risk rises with older age, male sex, and prior high-dose head radiation. Rare inherited syndromes (e.g., Li‑Fraumeni, Lynch/Turcot, neurofibromatosis type 1) increase risk; most cases aren’t inherited. No proven links to cell phones or lifestyle.
Genetic influences
Genetics play a meaningful role in glioblastoma, but most cases are not inherited. Tumor genetic changes—like IDH status, MGMT promoter methylation, EGFR, and TERT—guide prognosis and treatment choices. Rare familial syndromes increase risk, so genetic counseling may help.
Diagnosis
Doctors suspect glioblastoma based on new neurological symptoms and MRI or CT brain scans. The diagnosis of glioblastoma is confirmed by surgical biopsy with pathology, plus molecular tests that guide treatment and prognosis.
Treatment and Drugs
Glioblastoma care typically combines surgery to remove as much tumor as safely possible, followed by radiation and chemotherapy (often temozolomide). Many also receive tumor-treating fields, symptom relief medicines, and rehabilitation. Clinical trials offer access to promising targeted or immunotherapies.
Symptoms
Glioblastoma often shows up as changes in how the brain works from day to day—headaches, a first-time seizure, or new trouble with speech, vision, or strength. Early symptoms of glioblastoma can be subtle and may develop over weeks, or they can appear suddenly. Symptoms vary from person to person and can change over time.
Headaches: Persistent or worsening headaches, sometimes worse in the morning or when lying down. In glioblastoma, pain may build over days to weeks and can feel like pressure deep inside the head.
Seizures: A first-time seizure can happen, with shaking, staring, or brief confusion. In glioblastoma, some seizures are subtle, like twitching in one arm or a sudden pause with a blank look.
Thinking or memory: Trouble focusing, slower thinking, or short-term memory lapses. You might lose your train of thought or find planning tasks harder than usual.
Speech problems: Difficulty finding words, slurred words, or trouble understanding others. In glioblastoma, these issues may come and go at first and become more constant as the tumor grows.
Weakness or numbness: New weakness, clumsiness, or numbness in an arm, leg, or on one side of the body. You may drop items, have a heavier-feeling limb, or drag a foot.
Vision changes: Blurry or double vision, or missing part of what you see to one side. People may bump into doorframes or misjudge steps.
Balance and coordination: Unsteady walking, dizziness, or trouble with fine hand movements. You may veer to one side or feel off-balance during everyday activities.
Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting, especially in the morning. This often links to increased pressure inside the skull and may ebb after vomiting but then return.
Personality or mood: Irritability, apathy, or changes in judgment and social behavior. In glioblastoma, loved ones often notice the changes first.
Sleepiness and fatigue: Unusual tiredness or daytime sleepiness. This can worsen with poor sleep after seizures or from swelling around the tumor.
How people usually first notice
Types of Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor, but it does have recognized subtypes that can look and behave somewhat differently. These types are based on tumor genetics and patterns seen under the microscope, and they can influence age at diagnosis, how fast the cancer grows, and response to certain treatments. People may notice different sets of symptoms depending on their situation. When people search for types of glioblastoma, they’re usually asking how these variants differ and what that might mean for day-to-day symptoms and outlook.
IDH-wildtype
This is the most common variant in adults and tends to grow quickly. Symptoms often develop over weeks, such as new or worsening headaches, seizures, or changes in speech or strength. It is typically considered the classic form of glioblastoma.
IDH-mutant
This less common variant often arises from a lower-grade glioma and may progress more slowly. People may have a longer history of seizures or subtle cognitive changes before it becomes clear something is wrong. It is more frequent in younger adults compared with other types.
H3 K27-altered
Seen more often in children and young adults, it frequently affects midline brain structures like the thalamus or brainstem. Symptoms can include balance problems, double vision, facial weakness, or difficulty swallowing when these areas are involved. It usually behaves aggressively.
MGMT methylated
This is defined by a DNA change that can make tumor cells more sensitive to the chemotherapy medicine temozolomide. People with this feature may respond better to standard chemoradiation. Day-to-day symptoms are similar to other glioblastomas and depend on tumor location.
MGMT unmethylated
Tumors without this DNA change are often less responsive to temozolomide. Clinicians sometimes consider clinical trials or alternative strategies because benefit from standard chemotherapy may be limited. Symptoms still reflect where the tumor sits in the brain, such as weakness, language difficulties, or memory issues.
Primary vs secondary
Primary glioblastoma appears suddenly without a known precursor, while secondary develops from a lower-grade glioma over time. Secondary tumors often occur in younger people and may carry IDH mutations. Early symptoms of glioblastoma that evolves secondarily can include years of seizures before new deficits emerge.
Did you know?
Some glioblastomas carry EGFR or PDGFRA changes that act like stuck “on” switches, often driving rapid tumor growth with headaches, seizures, or worsening weakness. Others with IDH mutations may grow a bit slower, sometimes showing earlier, subtler cognitive or personality changes.
Causes and Risk Factors
Glioblastoma usually starts after gene changes build up in brain cells over time. Key risk factors for glioblastoma include older age and being male. High-dose radiation to the head, such as past cancer treatment, can increase risk. Family history is rarely involved, though a few rare inherited syndromes can raise the risk for glioblastoma. Links with smoking, diet, or cell phones are unproven, and doctors distinguish between risk factors you can change and those you can’t.
Environmental and Biological Risk Factors
Glioblastoma is a fast-growing brain cancer, and understanding risk factors helps put the odds in perspective. Doctors often group risks into internal (biological) and external (environmental). Only a few risk factors for glioblastoma are well established, and many people develop it without any clear trigger. Here are the environmental and biological elements linked to a higher likelihood of developing it.
Older age: Risk for glioblastoma increases as people get older. Most diagnoses occur in later adulthood. It can still happen at any age.
Male sex: Men are diagnosed slightly more often than women. The difference is modest. The reasons behind this pattern are not fully understood.
High-dose radiation: Past high-dose radiation to the head raises risk for glioblastoma. This can include prior radiation therapy or significant accidental exposures. Medical imaging uses much lower doses and is not clearly linked to higher risk.
Ancestry and region: Rates are higher in people of European ancestry in many US and European datasets. Rates are lower in some other groups. Causes of these differences are not fully understood.
Genetic Risk Factors
Most glioblastoma starts with DNA changes that arise in the tumor itself, not ones you are born with. These acquired changes switch on growth signals, shut off brakes, and help cells avoid aging. Risk is not destiny—it varies widely between individuals. A smaller share of people have an inherited risk for glioblastoma due to rare gene changes passed in families.
Acquired tumor changes: Most glioblastoma is driven by DNA alterations that happen only in the tumor cells. These changes are not passed down and build up as cells become cancerous. They often affect genes that control growth, repair, and cell division.
EGFR amplification: Extra copies or activating changes in EGFR make cells overly responsive to growth signals. This is common in glioblastoma and includes variants such as EGFRvIII. These changes are typically acquired, not inherited.
TERT promoter changes: Alterations near the TERT gene switch on telomerase, letting tumor cells keep dividing. These changes are frequent in glioblastoma, especially in IDH‑wildtype tumors. They arise within the cancer, not from birth.
PTEN-PI3K pathway: Loss of PTEN or activating changes in PIK3CA/PIK3R1 boost survival pathways inside the cell. This helps glioblastoma cells grow and resist cell death. These are acquired tumor changes.
CDKN2A/B loss: Deletions in CDKN2A/B remove important brakes on the cell cycle. Related hits in the RB pathway can have similar effects. These changes are common in glioblastoma.
TP53 pathway hits: Mutations in TP53 or extra copies of MDM2/MDM4 weaken the DNA-damage checkpoint. This allows abnormal cells to survive and multiply. Most of these changes occur only in the tumor.
Chromosome 10 loss: Loss of parts of chromosome 10, which includes PTEN, is frequent in glioblastoma. This broad loss can remove several tumor-suppressor genes at once. It is an acquired genetic event.
NF1 alterations: Changes in NF1 activate RAS/MAPK signaling and drive growth. People with inherited NF1 have a higher lifetime risk of glioma, but most NF1 changes in glioblastoma are not inherited. These alterations can shape how the tumor behaves.
IDH1/IDH2 mutations: These occur more often in tumors that progress from lower-grade gliomas, sometimes called secondary glioblastoma. They mark a different biology and are linked with distinct outcomes. IDH changes are usually acquired, not inherited.
Inherited syndromes: Rare conditions such as Li‑Fraumeni (TP53), Lynch/Turcot (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2), familial adenomatous polyposis/Turcot (APC), and NF1 can raise glioblastoma risk. Families with multiple gliomas or very early cancers may benefit from genetic counseling. These syndromes explain only a small fraction of cases.
Common risk variants: Subtle inherited changes near genes like TERT, RTEL1, EGFR, and CDKN2B-AS can slightly increase glioma risk. Each has a small effect, and together they nudge risk rather than determine it. They cannot predict who will develop glioblastoma.
Histone gene changes: In children and young adults, some high‑grade gliomas carry changes in H3F3A or related histone genes. These tumors have distinct biology and are now classified separately from typical adult glioblastoma. Such changes are not usually inherited.
Shelterin gene variants: Rare inherited variants in POT1 or related telomere genes occur in some families with multiple brain tumors. These can increase susceptibility to glioma across relatives. Genetic testing may clarify inherited risk for glioblastoma in select families.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Evidence for lifestyle risk factors for glioblastoma is limited, and no behaviors have been conclusively proven to cause it. Research is ongoing, so current findings should be viewed as tentative rather than definitive. Below is what large studies to date suggest about possible lifestyle risk factors for glioblastoma and how lifestyle affects glioblastoma risk.
Body weight: Higher body weight in early or mid-adulthood has been linked to a small increase in overall glioma risk in some studies. Evidence specific to glioblastoma is inconsistent and not definitive.
Physical activity: Regular exercise has not shown a clear association with glioblastoma risk in epidemiologic studies. Current data do not support exercise as a protective or harmful factor for glioblastoma.
Diet quality: No specific dietary pattern has reliably increased or decreased glioblastoma risk in large studies. Findings on fats, red meat, fruits, and vegetables are mixed and inconclusive.
Alcohol use: Light to moderate drinking has not been consistently associated with glioblastoma risk. Heavy alcohol intake has also not shown a clear link, though study results vary and certainty is low.
Tobacco use: Unlike many other cancers, cigarette smoking has not shown a consistent association with glioblastoma risk. Available studies generally do not indicate increased risk specific to glioblastoma.
Coffee and tea: Some studies suggest coffee or tea may be linked to a slightly lower risk of glioma overall, but results for glioblastoma specifically are inconsistent. No recommendation can be made based on current evidence.
Risk Prevention
There’s no proven way to fully prevent glioblastoma, because most cases arise without a clear trigger. Prevention is about lowering risk, not eliminating it completely. The most practical steps focus on minimizing high-dose radiation exposure when possible and paying attention to rare inherited risks, with tailored plans for those families.
Limit unnecessary radiation: Ask if a test that uses ionizing radiation can be replaced by an MRI or ultrasound when medically appropriate. MRI does not use radiation, so it’s often preferred for brain imaging when options exist.
Know inherited risks: If your family has a rare pattern of brain tumors or certain inherited syndromes, consider genetic counseling. For those at higher risk of glioblastoma, doctors may suggest periodic brain MRI and thoughtful use of treatments that avoid extra radiation when alternatives are available.
Workplace radiation safety: If you work around medical or industrial radiation, follow shielding, distance, and time limits exactly. Proper badges, equipment checks, and training lower exposure over the long term.
Healthy lifestyle basics: While not specific to glioblastoma, smoke-free living, regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and good sleep support overall cancer prevention. These habits also help your body tolerate treatments and recovery if a serious illness occurs.
Prompt symptom checks: Don’t ignore new, persistent neurological symptoms such as worsening headaches, seizures, or changes in personality or movement; seek timely medical evaluation. Early symptoms of glioblastoma can be subtle, and early assessment may lead to quicker treatment if needed.
How effective is prevention?
Glioblastoma is an acquired brain cancer, so prevention isn’t reliably possible today. There’s no vaccine or proven medication to stop it from forming, and most cases aren’t linked to clear, avoidable causes. What you can do is lower general brain cancer risks by avoiding unnecessary ionizing radiation and not smoking, though the effect for glioblastoma specifically is likely small. For people with prior brain radiation or rare hereditary syndromes, staying in regular care and seeking prompt evaluation of new symptoms supports earlier detection and better management.
Transmission
Glioblastoma does not spread from person to person; it is not contagious. You cannot catch glioblastoma through touch, coughing, sex, blood exposure, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Most cases happen because random changes build up in brain cells over time, not from an infection or something you did. If you’re wondering how glioblastoma is inherited, the short answer is that it usually isn’t; rare inherited cancer syndromes can raise risk but do not directly pass the tumor from parent to child.
When to test your genes
Consider genetic testing if you have a strong family history of gliomas or early-onset brain tumors, or if you’ve had multiple cancers. People diagnosed with glioblastoma benefit from tumor genomic profiling to guide targeted therapy, clinical trials, and prognosis. Ask a genetics professional about inherited syndromes (like TP53/Li-Fraumeni) to clarify personal and family risk.
Diagnosis
Headaches that feel worse in the morning, a new seizure, or small shifts in memory, mood, or speech can be early signs that something in the brain needs attention. Doctors usually begin with a neurological exam and brain imaging to look for a mass or swelling. If scans point to glioblastoma, the diagnosis of glioblastoma is confirmed by testing tumor tissue under the microscope and with specific lab assays.
Neurologic exam: A clinician checks strength, reflexes, vision, coordination, and speech. These findings help pinpoint which part of the brain may be affected and guide next tests.
Brain MRI: MRI with contrast is the main imaging test to evaluate a suspected brain tumor. It shows the tumor, surrounding swelling, and involvement of nearby structures, which helps plan surgery or biopsy.
Head CT scan: CT is often used first in urgent settings or when MRI isn’t immediately available. It can quickly show bleeding, pressure, or a mass, but gives less detail than MRI for glioblastoma.
Advanced MRI techniques: Perfusion, diffusion, and spectroscopy can help distinguish tumor from infection or scar tissue. These methods also help choose the best area to sample during biopsy.
Tissue biopsy: A neurosurgeon obtains tumor tissue, either with a needle (stereotactic biopsy) or during surgical removal. Pathology confirms glioblastoma and rules out other brain tumors.
Molecular profiling: Tests on the tumor check markers such as IDH status and MGMT promoter methylation. These results refine the diagnosis, inform prognosis, and can guide treatment choices in glioblastoma.
Blood tests: Routine labs assess overall health and readiness for surgery or treatment. They do not diagnose glioblastoma, but help rule out infections and other causes of symptoms.
Ruling out metastasis: If imaging features are atypical or there are multiple lesions, doctors may image the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. This helps ensure the brain lesion is a primary glioblastoma rather than spread from a cancer elsewhere.
Spinal fluid tests: A lumbar puncture is not usually needed for glioblastoma. It may be considered only if another condition like infection or lymphoma is suspected based on symptoms or imaging.
Stages of Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma does not have defined progression stages. Brain tumors aren’t staged like many other cancers; instead, glioblastoma is already considered an aggressive type, and doctors track it with MRI scans and neurologic checks over time rather than step-by-step stages. Diagnosis relies on imaging and a tissue sample (biopsy or surgery), and follow-up looks at whether the tumor is stable, shrinking, or growing again; early symptoms of glioblastoma—like new headaches, seizures, or personality changes—often prompt the first tests. Many people feel reassured knowing what their tests can—and can’t—show.
Did you know about genetic testing?
Did you know genetic testing can help people with glioblastoma and their families? Tumor genetic profiling can reveal specific changes in the cancer cells that guide targeted treatments, clinical trial options, and how well certain therapies like chemotherapy or immunotherapy might work. For some, testing can also check for rare inherited risks, helping relatives decide if they should get screened or seek counseling.
Outlook and Prognosis
Looking ahead can feel daunting, but many people want a clear picture of what glioblastoma might mean over the next months and years. Doctors call this the prognosis—a medical word for likely outcomes. Glioblastoma tends to grow and spread quickly in the brain, which is why treatment usually starts soon after diagnosis and often combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Even with active treatment, most people with glioblastoma live months to a few years; median survival is commonly around 12 to 18 months, and a small group live longer, especially when the tumor can be largely removed and responds well to therapy.
The outlook is not the same for everyone, but age, overall health, how much tumor can be safely removed, and how the tumor’s genes behave all shape the course. In medical terms, the long-term outlook is often shaped by both genetics and lifestyle. Certain tumor markers (like MGMT promoter methylation or IDH mutation) are linked with better responses to treatment, and participation in clinical trials may open doors to newer options. Early symptoms of glioblastoma can be subtle—worsening headaches, new seizures, or changes in memory or speech—and getting care quickly can help ease symptoms and prevent urgent complications.
Symptoms can shift, but this doesn’t always mean treatments have stopped working; care teams adjust plans to manage swelling, seizures, fatigue, and mood changes. While average survival statistics are sobering, some people experience longer, meaningful time with good symptom control through tailored therapy, rehabilitation, and palliative support. Support from friends and family can help maintain routines, reduce stress, and keep everyday life as steady as possible. Talk with your doctor about what your personal outlook might look like, including whether tumor genetics or clinical trials could influence your path and what to expect if the disease progresses.
Long Term Effects
Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer, and its long-term effects usually come from both the tumor itself and the treatments used to control it. Over time, daily routines may shift as thinking, movement, or speech changes affect work, driving, and independence. Symptoms often wax and wane, but most people notice a gradual increase in challenges as the disease advances. Here’s what doctors and research know about how the condition tends to affect life over the long run.
Cognitive changes: Problems with memory, attention, and planning can build over time. These changes may stem from the tumor, swelling, or past radiation.
Seizures: Seizures can persist or recur and often need long-term anti‑seizure medicine. They may limit driving and some types of work.
Weakness and balance: Weakness on one side, clumsiness, or balance trouble can make walking and daily tasks harder. Falls become more likely as glioblastoma progresses.
Speech and language: Word‑finding, understanding, or clear speech may become more difficult. This can make conversations and work communication tiring.
Vision changes: Blurry vision, double vision, or missing parts of the visual field may appear. These changes can affect reading, driving, and navigation.
Headaches and pain: Headaches can persist, and pain flares may follow changes in brain pressure. Early symptoms of glioblastoma like headaches may evolve into frequent or daily discomfort.
Fatigue and sleep issues: Profound tiredness and poor sleep are common and can limit activity. Fatigue often increases with treatment cycles and disease changes.
Mood and personality: Anxiety, low mood, irritability, or apathy may emerge or intensify. These changes can strain relationships and add to caregiver stress.
Swallowing difficulties: Trouble swallowing liquids or solids can develop. This raises the risk of choking or chest infections and may require diet changes.
Hormone and metabolic effects: Treatment and steroids can cause weight gain, high blood sugar, and mood shifts. Radiation near hormone centers may lead to low energy or temperature and salt balance issues.
Blood clots and infections: Glioblastoma and some treatments increase the risk of clots in the legs or lungs. Steroids and chemotherapy can lower immunity, raising infection risk.
Functional dependence: Over months, many need help with dressing, bathing, or getting around. Home supports, mobility aids, or hospice may become part of care.
How is it to live with Glioblastoma?
Living with glioblastoma often feels like life has been split into “before” and “after,” with days shaped by treatment schedules, fatigue, headaches, and changes in thinking, speech, or strength that can ebb and flow. Many find they need help with driving, work, or household tasks, and may notice shifts in mood or personality that are part illness, part medication effects, and always deeply human. Loved ones often become care partners overnight, balancing hope with hard decisions and learning new routines to keep days safer and more comfortable. Even in this intensity, clear communication with the care team, practical support, and moments of normalcy—short walks, shared meals, quiet rituals—can anchor daily life.
Treatment and Drugs
Treatment for glioblastoma focuses on slowing tumor growth, easing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life. Most people start with surgery to remove as much tumor as safely possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide; some may also receive tumor-treating fields, a wearable device that uses electrical fields to disrupt cancer cell division. If the tumor returns, options can include additional surgery or radiation, different chemotherapies, targeted drugs such as bevacizumab, or clinical trials; your doctor can help weigh the pros and cons of each option. Supportive care can make a real difference in how you feel day to day, including medicines for headaches or seizures, steroids to reduce swelling, and rehabilitation to help with speech, movement, or thinking changes. Not every treatment works the same way for every person, so care is individualized and may change over time.
Non-Drug Treatment
Living with glioblastoma often means balancing day-to-day activities with treatments and follow-up. Alongside medicines, non-drug therapies can support recovery after surgery, ease symptoms, and help you stay as independent as possible. These options range from hospital-based treatments to home strategies you can build into daily life. They can also prepare you and your family to recognize changes early and plan ahead.
Brain surgery: Removing as much tumor as safely possible can relieve pressure and improve symptoms. Surgeons may use imaging and mapping to protect speech, movement, and memory.
Radiation therapy: Carefully targeted beams damage tumor cells while sparing healthy brain tissue. Treatments are typically given over several weeks to control growth and reduce symptoms.
Tumor treating fields: A wearable device sends low-intensity electrical fields through the scalp to slow tumor cell division. You wear adhesive arrays most of the day, and a clinical team teaches you how to use the system.
Physical therapy: Exercises rebuild strength, balance, and walking after treatment or if weakness develops. Therapists tailor plans to reduce falls and help with safe movement at home and outdoors.
Occupational therapy: Skills training focuses on dressing, cooking, and work or school tasks. Adaptive tools and energy-conservation tips make daily routines safer and less tiring.
Speech therapy: Therapy can improve speech, understanding, and swallowing if those areas are affected. Techniques and home practice support clearer communication and safer eating.
Cognitive rehabilitation: Targeted exercises and strategies help with attention, memory, and problem-solving. Written reminders, pacing, and environmental cues can make complex tasks more manageable.
Neuropsychology support: Testing maps thinking strengths and challenges, then guides a practical plan. Counseling can also address mood, anxiety, and the stress of diagnosis.
Psychological counseling: One-on-one or family sessions help process emotions and build coping skills. Some may also benefit from support groups to reduce isolation and share practical tips.
Palliative care: A specialized team focuses on comfort, pain control, and quality of life at any stage. They coordinate care, support caregivers, and align treatment with your goals.
Nutrition support: Dietitians help maintain weight and strength when appetite or taste changes. Meal planning and texture changes can reduce fatigue at mealtime and lower choking risk.
Exercise and activity: Gentle, regular activity can boost energy, mood, and sleep. Programs are adapted to your safety level, whether that’s short walks or supervised sessions.
Seizure safety education: Teams teach seizure first aid, driving and work safety, and when to seek urgent care. This also includes spotting early symptoms of glioblastoma recurrence, like new headaches or weakness.
Practical supports: Social workers assist with transport, home care resources, and workplace or school accommodations. They can also guide financial paperwork and access to community services.
Advance care planning: Conversations document your preferences for future care and decision-making. This helps your team and loved ones honor what matters most to you.
Did you know that drugs are influenced by genes?
Even in a fast-moving cancer like glioblastoma, your genes—and the tumor’s genes—shape how well certain drugs work and how your body handles them. Doctors use tumor profiling and, at times, your own pharmacogenetic markers to guide drug choices and dosing.
Pharmacological Treatments
Medicines for glioblastoma are usually combined with surgery and radiation to help control the tumor and ease symptoms. The main chemotherapy is temozolomide, taken by mouth, with other drugs used if the tumor returns or to manage swelling, seizures, and nausea. Doctors tailor choices to the tumor’s features and your overall health, especially when considering treatment options for recurrent glioblastoma. Alongside drug therapy, surgery and radiation remain important.
Temozolomide: Oral chemotherapy used during and after radiation. It can slow glioblastoma growth and improve survival in many. Side effects may include low blood counts, nausea, and fatigue.
Lomustine (CCNU): Capsule chemotherapy often used if glioblastoma returns or when temozolomide is no longer helping. It can lower blood counts and sometimes cause nausea and mouth sores.
Carmustine wafers: Thin chemotherapy wafers placed in the brain at surgery. They slowly release medicine into nearby tissue to target residual tumor cells. Common effects include headache and swelling around the surgical area.
Bevacizumab: An IV drug that targets tumor blood vessels to reduce swelling and symptoms. It can improve MRI appearance and relieve headaches or steroid needs, especially in recurrent glioblastoma. Risks include high blood pressure, bleeding, and slow wound healing.
Regorafenib: An oral targeted drug used in some people with recurrent glioblastoma. It blocks multiple pathways tumors use to grow. Possible side effects include fatigue, hand–foot skin reactions, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
Dexamethasone (steroid): A steroid that reduces brain swelling to ease headaches, nausea, or weakness. Doctors aim for the lowest effective dose and taper as symptoms allow. Long-term use can raise blood sugar and infection risk.
Anti-seizure medicines: Drugs like levetiracetam help prevent or control seizures that can occur with glioblastoma. Doses are adjusted to balance seizure control and side effects such as sleepiness or mood changes.
BRAF/MEK inhibitors: For tumors with a BRAF V600E mutation, drugs like dabrafenib plus trametinib may be considered. These target a specific growth signal and are used in select cases, often when standard therapy has been tried.
NTRK inhibitors: If the tumor has an NTRK fusion, larotrectinib or entrectinib may help. These medicines are tumor-agnostic targeted therapies used in rare, matching glioblastoma cases.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: Drugs like pembrolizumab or nivolumab may be used in specific scenarios, such as mismatch repair–deficient tumors or in clinical trials. Benefits vary, and careful selection is important.
Antinausea medicines: Medications such as ondansetron can prevent or relieve nausea from chemotherapy like temozolomide or lomustine. This helps people stay on schedule with treatment.
Infection prevention: Some people on prolonged chemotherapy or high-dose steroids may receive antibiotics such as trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole to prevent certain lung infections. Your team will weigh benefits and risks based on your regimen.
Genetic Influences
For most people, glioblastoma does not run in families; the gene changes that drive the tumor arise in the tumor cells themselves and are not passed down. These acquired changes often affect genes that control how cells grow and repair damage, which helps explain why the tumor can grow quickly. A small number of people inherit a higher risk through rare genetic syndromes or a strong family history, especially when glioblastoma is diagnosed at a younger age. Having a gene change doesn’t always mean you will develop the condition. If several relatives have brain tumors, or if you were diagnosed young, genetic counseling and, in some cases, testing may clarify whether an inherited risk is present. Even when testing finds no inherited cause, doctors can sometimes use the tumor’s specific gene changes to guide prognosis or clinical trial options for glioblastoma.
How genes can cause diseases
Humans have more than 20 000 genes, each carrying out one or a few specific functiosn in the body. One gene instructs the body to digest lactose from milk, another tells the body how to build strong bones and another prevents the bodies cells to begin lultiplying uncontrollably and develop into cancer. As all of these genes combined are the building instructions for our body, a defect in one of these genes can have severe health consequences.
Through decades of genetic research, we know the genetic code of any healthy/functional human gene. We have also identified, that in certain positions on a gene, some individuals may have a different genetic letter from the one you have. We call this hotspots “Genetic Variations” or “Variants” in short. In many cases, studies have been able to show, that having the genetic Letter “G” in the position makes you healthy, but heaving the Letter “A” in the same position disrupts the gene function and causes a disease. Genopedia allows you to view these variants in genes and summarizes all that we know from scientific research, which genetic letters (Genotype) have good or bad consequences on your health or on your traits.
Pharmacogenetics — how genetics influence drug effects
When planning treatment for glioblastoma, the tumor’s own genetic makeup can point to therapies that are more likely to help. A key example is MGMT: if the tumor has MGMT promoter methylation (a chemical tag that turns this DNA-repair gene down), temozolomide chemotherapy tends to work better and may be used more confidently. Glioblastoma is usually IDH‑wildtype; if an IDH mutation is found, doctors may reclassify the tumor and discuss different options or clinical trials, reflecting how pharmacogenetics in glioblastoma treatment can steer care. Changes in growth‑signal genes (such as EGFR) or rare targets (like BRAF or NTRK), and tumors with very high numbers of DNA changes, can sometimes open doors to targeted drugs or immunotherapy—often through clinical trials, as approved options remain limited. Inherited genetics rarely changes dosing of standard glioblastoma therapies, but can guide supportive care—for example, choosing and dosing certain anti‑seizure medicines, and in some groups helping avoid rare but serious skin reactions. Genetics is only one factor; treatment for glioblastoma also depends on tumor location, prior therapies, overall health, and personal goals.
Interactions with other diseases
Living with glioblastoma often means managing it alongside other health issues that can shape treatment choices and day-to-day comfort. Doctors call it a “comorbidity” when two conditions occur together, and common examples here include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and seizure disorders. Steroids used to reduce brain swelling can raise blood sugar and blood pressure, thin bones, disturb sleep, and increase infection risk, so diabetes control and blood pressure checks usually need extra attention; someone on insulin may notice needing higher doses after steroid doses change.
Seizures are frequent in glioblastoma, and some older anti‑seizure medicines can interfere with chemotherapy or steroids; many teams favor options like levetiracetam to avoid these drug interactions. Blood clots in the legs or lungs are more likely with glioblastoma, which means blood thinners may be needed, but doctors balance this carefully because of the small risk of bleeding in the brain, especially around surgery. Early symptoms of glioblastoma, such as headaches, memory changes, or confusion, can overlap with conditions like migraine, stroke, or dementia, so it’s important to let your care team know about any new or worsening changes. Mood symptoms are also common; treating depression or anxiety is possible during glioblastoma care, but certain medicines can lower the seizure threshold or interact with other treatments, so plans are tailored and closely monitored.
Special life conditions
Living with glioblastoma can look different at various stages of life and in special situations. During pregnancy, treatment choices may shift to balance the mother’s health with the baby’s safety; doctors may adjust timing of surgery, radiation, or certain medicines, and plan extra monitoring. In children and teens, glioblastoma is rare but can affect school, mood, and development; a pediatric neuro-oncology team often tailors therapy and learning support to help maintain routines where possible. In older adults, other health conditions, memory changes, or frailty can influence how aggressive treatment is and how recovery feels day to day.
Active athletes and very physically active people may need to scale workouts to energy levels and seizure risk; a physical therapist can help adapt activity safely. Loved ones may notice shifts in thinking speed, multitasking, or balance, which can affect driving, work, or caregiving roles at home. It’s common for needs to change as treatment phases shift, so asking the care team about rehabilitation, neurocognitive support, and palliative care—focused on comfort and function—can help maintain quality of life.
History
Throughout history, people have described sudden declines in memory, personality, or strength that seemed to come “from the head,” long before scans could show what was happening. Community stories often described the condition as a mysterious illness that progressed quickly, with headaches, seizures, or changes in behavior appearing over weeks to months. Families noticed how someone who was independent in spring might need help by summer. These lived observations set the stage for what we now recognize as glioblastoma.
First described in the medical literature as a fast-growing brain tumor in the late 1800s and early 1900s, glioblastoma became clearer as doctors linked symptoms to what they saw under the microscope. Early neurosurgeons could sometimes remove parts of a tumor, but without modern imaging, operations were limited. As medical science evolved, the introduction of computed tomography (CT) in the 1970s and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the 1980s let clinicians see the tumor’s size, swelling, and location in real time. This shifted care from relying mostly on symptoms to planning surgery and treatment based on detailed images.
Over time, descriptions became more precise as pathologists learned to distinguish glioblastoma from other brain tumors. The typical picture—irregular growth, areas of dead tissue, and a tendency to invade nearby brain—explained why symptoms like worsening headaches, weakness on one side, or trouble finding words can develop and change quickly. Radiation therapy and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide, introduced in the early 2000s, marked important steps that modestly improved outcomes. Tumor-treating fields, a wearable device delivering low-intensity electrical fields, added another option for some people.
Advances in genetics reshaped the understanding of glioblastoma in the past two decades. Tests that look at gene changes, such as IDH status and MGMT promoter methylation, helped refine diagnosis, guide treatment choices, and inform prognosis. Medical classifications changed as molecular features were added to the traditional view based on how the tumor looks under the microscope. This combined approach better explains why glioblastoma behaves differently from person to person and why response to therapy varies.
In recent decades, knowledge has built on a long tradition of observation. Clinical trials have tested targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and new combinations, while surgical techniques, anesthesia, and recovery care have become safer. Today’s care for glioblastoma reflects this history: careful imaging, surgery when possible, radiation, medicines, supportive care, and increasing use of tumor genetics to personalize decisions. Looking back helps explain why doctors act quickly when early symptoms of glioblastoma appear and why follow-up imaging and coordinated care remain essential.