Glioblastoma: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Need to Know

When we talk about glioblastoma, a fast-growing, malignant brain tumor that starts in glial cells. Also known as GBM, it’s the most common and deadliest type of primary brain cancer in adults. Unlike slower-growing tumors, glioblastoma spreads quickly through brain tissue, making it hard to remove completely — even with surgery.

It doesn’t come with a clear red flag like a persistent headache or sudden weakness in every case. Some people notice memory lapses, trouble speaking, or mood changes that seem minor at first. Others have seizures or vision problems. These symptoms often get mistaken for stress, aging, or migraines. That’s why glioblastoma is frequently diagnosed at a late stage — when it’s already spread widely in the brain.

The exact cause? Still unknown. But we do know it’s not caused by cell phones, WiFi, or diet. It’s not inherited in most cases. Research points to random genetic mutations in brain cells, possibly triggered by age, radiation exposure, or unknown environmental factors. Men over 50 are at higher risk, and it’s rare in people under 40. There’s no proven way to prevent it, but early detection can make a difference in managing symptoms and planning treatment.

Treatment usually starts with surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible — but because glioblastoma looks like roots spreading through healthy tissue, doctors can’t take it all out. After surgery, patients typically get radiation and chemotherapy, often with a drug called temozolomide. Some newer therapies, like tumor-treating fields (TTFields), use electric fields to slow tumor growth. Clinical trials are exploring immunotherapy and targeted drugs, but so far, none have turned this into a curable disease.

Survival rates are low. The median life expectancy after diagnosis is about 15 months. But that’s an average — some people live two, three, or even five years, especially if they’re younger, healthier, and respond well to treatment. Supportive care — managing seizures, swelling, pain, and mental health — is just as important as the medical treatment.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a medical textbook. It’s real talk from people who’ve lived with brain tumors, caregivers who’ve watched loved ones fight, and doctors who’ve seen how treatment works — or doesn’t — in practice. You’ll read about brain fog after surgery, how chemo affects daily life, what recovery really looks like, and why some people feel like they’ve lost themselves even when the tumor is gone. This isn’t just about glioblastoma as a diagnosis. It’s about what happens after the scan, after the news, after the first treatment.