Glioblastoma is a brain tumor, one of several types of glioma tumors. These tumors can form in the brain or spinal cord, but glioblastomas most commonly occur in the cerebrum. Glioma tumors arise from the different types of glial cells that support brain function. A glioblastoma comes from the astrocytoma cells, which keep neurons in place and send out nutrients. Because they can supply their own blood, glioblastomas are the fastest growing and most malignant of the glioma tumors. Although fatality occurs at a higher, more rapid rate, the other symptoms are similar, if somewhat more severe, than other types of brain tumors.
Headaches
Because of the growth of the tumors, pressure in the brain increases, and some swelling may occur. Such pressure and swelling can cause headaches. While many people suffer headaches anyway, it can be easy to get scared quickly. The headaches caused are not of a migraine capacity, but vomiting may still be an additional issue. However, it is almost always present as a dull pounding and at its worst immediately after waking up. While it usually recedes as the day goes on, it may throb or get worse with certain activities, like coughing or simply moving. Severity of symptoms all depends on where the tumor is.
Bodily Response
Unsurprisingly, the symptoms of glioblastoma are largely neurological in their effect on the body. Additionally, where the tumor is located within the brain plays a large role not only in how severe these symptoms are, but also what senses and abilities they affect. One of the more difficult aspects of a glioblastoma is the fingers it sends out. Not only does this make surgery more difficult, but it can increase the areas affected. Walking can be hard, or one side of the body may be weaker than the other if the tumor takes up residence in a particular hemisphere. If the optic nerve is affected, vision may become blurred, doubled, or peripheral vision may be lost. Some patients notice a change in their speech or that talking becomes difficult. Coordination may decrease, while balance becomes harder to manage. A ringing in the ears may occur, or hearing loss may be present.
Cognition
Glioblastoma can put a crimp in brain function itself and not just its ability to send the appropriate messages to the rest of the body. Some patients find themselves more tired than they used to be. Others may become easily confused, distractible, or have trouble remembering or recalling things. Short term memory seems to be more affected than long term memory. Some of the most noticeable symptoms for others observing someone with a brain tumor are frequent mood swings or signs of anxiety and depression. Personality changes can even occur; the patient may become more aggressive, withdrawn, or even display socially inappropriate behavior while simultaneously denying that those behaviors are a problem.
