Life expectancy prognosis

Glioblastoma is unfortunately very difficult to treat. A permanent cure is normally not possible. In the end, patients usually die of the tumor.

The standard therapy consists of surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the tumor grows very quickly and infiltrates the surrounding nerve tissue, so that it is never possible to remove all tumor cells during surgery. The tumor usually returns (recurrence).

With the following figures on prognosis and life expectancy, it should be remembered that these are statistics; in individual cases, the actual survival time of the patient may vary widely. Young patients (age < 50 years) with good surgical results have the best prognosis. 70% survive the first year.

The mean survival time after diagnosis is 17-20 months. Only about 15% are still alive after 5 years. The prognosis worsens with increasing age.

In patients over 50 years of age or in younger patients with significant limitations, the mean survival time is often less than one year despite good surgical results. In patients without surgery or with poor neurological function postoperatively, the prognosis is even worse. Only one third survive the first year.

The average dies after 8 months. Individual patients have a relatively good quality of life despite recurrence and survive several years despite this. So far, however, these are isolated cases. Which factors have a positive influence on the prognosis is therefore being intensively researched.

What is the course of a glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is a malignant tumor in the brain with a very poor prognosis. A cure is usually not possible. On average, patients die about 1 year after diagnosis.

If the location of the tumor is favorable and the patient’s general condition is good, surgical removal is performed first. Unfortunately, the glioblastoma grows so infiltrating into the nerve tissue that not all tumor cells can be removed. The operation is therefore followed by radiation and chemotherapy.However, this can only delay the natural course of the disease.

Except in rare individual cases, the tumor returns (recurrence). In most cases, it grows so quickly that the increased pressure on the brain soon leads to symptoms such as nausea/vomiting and severe headaches. This is followed by disturbances of consciousness.

Due to the increasing pressure on the brain, certain regions of the brain are ultimately constricted. If the brain stem is affected, respiratory paralysis and death are the result. This can be delayed for several months by the above-mentioned treatment, but the course of the disease cannot be stopped and ends with death.