What is the course of a relapse? | Glioblastoma – course of the individual stages

What is the course of a relapse?

Unfortunately it is not possible to make a general statement for all recurrences. It depends much more on which tumor was present before and which is present now – the same or a more advanced malignant tumor. It also depends on the location of the tumor, since this determines the symptoms. Since all astrocytomas have a tendency to become more malignant over time, the prognosis for a relapse is usually worse than for the original tumor.

What is the life expectancy?

Life expectancy is primarily dependent on the degree of astrocytoma and on whether a therapy is carried out. With grade 1 astrocytoma a cure is possible. The prognosis is good.

Even if complete removal is not possible, the growth of the tumor progresses only slowly. With therapy of a grade 2 astrocytoma the average life expectancy is 11 years. With therapy of a grade 3 astrocytoma the average life expectancy is 9 years.

If a grade 3 or 4 astrocytoma is not treated, the disease leads to death within a short time. With therapy of a primary grade 4 astrocytoma (glioblastoma; approx. 90% of grade 4 astrocytomas) the average life expectancy is 10-15 months, with secondary grade 4 astrocytoma (glioblastoma; approx. 10% of grade 4 astrocytomas) 2-2.5 years.

How do you recognize a good slow from a bad fast?

The final decision whether it is a rather benign tumor with a slow progression or a rather malignant tumor with a fast progression is made by the radiologists (radiologists) and pathologists. On the basis of MRI and CT images of the brain, the radiologist can make an initial statement. The pathologist examines samples of the tumor using microscopic and genetic techniques and can thus make a very accurate assessment of the type and degree of the tumor.

For the layperson, a rough estimate is possible by observing the course of the tumor over time. When did the symptoms start? Did they start suddenly or insidiously?

How severe are the symptoms? How long have I had the symptoms? The more suddenly and severely the symptoms have begun, the faster they have worsened and the worse they are, the more likely a malignant course is and vice versa.