Introduction
Glioblastoma (also known as glioblastoma multiforme) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults (it is rarely found in children). It is classified by the WHO as grade 4 and thus as the most severe. In general, more men than women and more people of the white than black population are affected by glioblastoma, with the middle to higher age being the main manifestation period for this malignant brain tumor (the mean age of onset of the disease is 64 years).
Every year, approximately 3 out of 100,000 people in Germany are affected. The degenerated cells of the glioblastoma originate from the so-called astrocytes of the brain (=cells of the glia of the CNS; supporting cells), which is why the glioblastoma is often found in the literature under the name “astrocytoma grade IV”. A distinction is made between primary and secondary glioblastoma, whereby the primary develops directly and in a short time from vital astrocytes and mainly affects patients around the age of 60.70.
The secondary glioblastoma, on the other hand, develops from a pre-existing astrocytoma of a lower grade (WHO 1-3) and is therefore considered the final stage of a longer existing, progressive brain tumor disease. However, patients around the age of 50.60. are more likely to be affected. Primary glioblastomas occur twice as frequently as secondary glioblastomas. Glioblastomas usually develop in the white matter of one of the two cerebral hemispheres (preferably in the frontal or temporal lobe), but in the course of the disease they quickly infiltrate the other hemisphere via the bar. In imaging, its shape often resembles that of a butterfly, which is why it is often referred to as “butterfly glioblastoma”.
What does the final stage look like?
Of course, it is problematic to make general statements about how the final stage of a glioblastoma disease will be for those affected. The course of the disease is too different from patient to patient. Nevertheless, some statements can be formulated that are generally correct.
As the term “final stage” suggests, there is usually no hope of a cure for the affected patients. Most patients are very weakened in the final stage, therefore bedridden and dependent on intensive care. The focus is on alleviating the symptoms due to the lack of chances of recovery.
These usually worsen as the disease progresses and are therefore most pronounced in the final stage. They include severe headaches and morning nausea with vomiting, which are due to the increased intracranial pressure caused by the glioblastoma. End-stage headaches are often rather diffuse in nature, i.e. they affect the entire head and not only the tumor area.
They usually occur abruptly and then become increasingly severe. In addition, some sufferers also show changes of character, becoming aggressive or very listless. Furthermore, recurrent epileptic seizures occur frequently.
Occasionally, the increased intracranial pressure can also lead to temporary disturbances of consciousness up to permanent “twilight states”. Depending on where the glioblastoma is located, other symptoms may also occur. For example, if the glioblastoma growth affects the speech center, difficulties in speaking or finding words may also be noticeable.
If it affects the motor center, movement disorders may result. Vision disorders are also possible if the visual center in the brain is affected. If the tumor continues to grow, it can eventually displace parts of the brain. This can lead to the entrapment of brain stem areas that are responsible for regulating breathing, and thus to respiratory arrest and death.
