What are the treatment options for glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing brain tumour, so treatment planning considers its position, size, appearance on scans, and how it affects movement, speech, memory, or other brain functions. Surgery may remove as much visible tumour as can be done safely and provides tissue for testing.

Radiotherapy directs high-energy beams at the tumour area, while chemotherapy uses medicines to act on cancer cells. These treatments may follow surgery or be adapted when surgery is not possible. A clinical trial may offer an option for a carefully defined situation; the team should explain its purpose, commitments, and alternatives.

Ask how the tumour's location could affect surgery and which functions will be checked before and after it. Discuss medicines for swelling or seizures, rehabilitation, driving, work, and help at home. Keep a written list of headaches, seizures, weakness, vision changes, speech difficulty, or personality changes.

Before radiotherapy or chemotherapy, ask about fatigue, skin or hair changes, nausea, memory, infection risk, and how symptoms will be monitored. Do not stop an anti-seizure or steroid medicine without medical advice.

Call emergency services for a first seizure, a seizure lasting longer than usual, sudden weakness on one side, new trouble speaking, severe confusion, loss of consciousness, or a sudden severe headache with vomiting. Contact the oncology team promptly for fever, worsening drowsiness, repeated vomiting, or a new change in balance or vision.

What does the scan show and where is the tumour located? What can surgery safely achieve? Will radiotherapy and chemotherapy follow it? Could a clinical trial suit my situation? Which neurological symptoms require emergency help?