Stage 4 terminal brain tumors are the most serious and most aggressive type of brain tumor.
The brain tumors cells are abnormal and the tumor creates new blood vessels as it grows and the tumor may also accumulate dead cells in it's core.
The deadliest brain tumor is glioblastoma multiforme which is a grade 4 glioma brain tumor that arises from brain cells called the glial cells.
Grade for glioblastoma is the most aggressive and most serious type of brain tumor.
The life expectancy of a person with glioblastoma is 12 months to 18 months and only 25 percent of people with glioblastoma survive more than 1 year and only 5 percent of people with glioblastoma survive more than 5 years.
The triggers of glioblastoma are genetic tumor causing conditions like neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome, previous radiation therapy of the head and exposure to chemicals like synthetic rubber, vinyl chloride, petroleum and pesticides.
Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord.
It grows quickly and can invade and destroy healthy tissue.
Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
The average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of people with glioblastoma survive more than one year, and only 5% of people survive more than five years.
Glioblastoma can develop in persons of any age, including children.
But it tends to occur more often in adults between the ages of 65 and 74, and men have a slightly higher risk than women.
Most people diagnosed with glioblastoma have no family history of cancerous brain tumors.
There is currently no cure for glioblastoma.
The median length of survival after a diagnosis is 15-18 months, while the disease's five-year survival rate is around 10%.
Though all glioblastomas recur, initial treatments may keep the tumor controlled for months or even years.
The warning signs of glioblastoma include.
Headache.
Seizures.
Nausea and vomiting.
Drowsiness.
Changes in personality.
Weakness on one side of the body.
Memory loss.
Speech difficulty.
People with glioblastoma are often struggling with a great deal of physical and emotional burdens.
It is important to listen to them, even if they are unable to communicate verbally.
In the final stages of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), end-of-life signs may become more apparent.
These can include decreased appetite, social withdrawal, changes in behavior, and increased fatigue.