How common is first-time seizure in glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma can affect the brain's signalling in the area where it develops, which may trigger a seizure. An episode can involve jerking of one limb, whole-body stiffening or shaking, a sudden loss of awareness, speech difficulty, or behaviour that seems out of character. Tiredness or confusion can follow.

A new seizure may also occur for reasons unrelated to glioblastoma. Assessment focuses on the episode itself and on identifying the cause, rather than assuming a diagnosis from a single symptom.

Get emergency help for a first seizure. Make the area safer by moving hazards away and protecting the person's head. When the seizure has ended, place them on their side if you can do so safely and remain with them while they recover.

Do not hold them down or put fingers, food, medicine, or any object in their mouth. Record the time the episode began and, if possible, what you observed, including whether they responded and how they were afterwards.

Call emergency services if a seizure is continuing, happens again before the person recovers, is followed by breathing difficulty, or leads to a fall or other injury. Medical review is needed after a first seizure even when the person appears well later.

Ask how the seizure will be investigated, whether treatment is recommended, and what symptoms should trigger another emergency call. A clinician can also advise on temporary safety measures for travel, bathing, sleep, and activities where loss of awareness could cause harm.