glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that starts in the glial cells. Also known as GBM, it grows quickly, spreads through brain tissue, and is hard to remove completely with surgery. Unlike slower-growing tumors, glioblastoma often comes back even after treatment, which is why medication plays such a critical role in managing it.
People with glioblastoma usually get a mix of treatments: surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, radiation to kill leftover cells, and chemotherapy, drugs that target fast-growing cancer cells—most commonly temozolomide. This drug is taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier, making it one of the few options that can reach the tumor effectively. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Some patients have a genetic marker called MGMT methylation that makes temozolomide more effective, while others don’t respond at all. That’s why doctors now also look at targeted therapy, treatments designed to attack specific molecules involved in tumor growth, like bevacizumab, which blocks blood vessel formation around the tumor. These aren’t cures, but they can slow progression and improve quality of life.
Side effects from these treatments are common and often underestimated. Fatigue, nausea, low blood counts, and brain swelling are routine. Some patients experience delayed reactions—like cognitive changes or mood swings—that show up weeks after starting treatment. That’s why tracking how you feel over time matters just as much as imaging scans. Medication adherence, managing interactions with other drugs, and knowing when to speak up about new symptoms can make a real difference in how long you stay functional and comfortable.
There’s no one-size-fits-all plan. What works for one person might not work for another, and treatment often shifts as the cancer evolves. That’s why so many of the articles below focus on real-world experiences: how people cope with medication schedules, what supplements they try (and which ones to avoid), how side effects impact daily life, and how to spot warning signs before they become emergencies. You’ll find practical advice on managing brain swelling with steroids, dealing with memory loss during chemo, and understanding when a new symptom is just a side effect—or something more serious. These aren’t theoretical guides. They’re stories and strategies from people living with glioblastoma and the doctors who help them navigate it.
Brain tumors vary by type, grade, and molecular profile. Learn how WHO CNS5 classification guides diagnosis and treatment, from slow-growing grade 1 tumors to aggressive glioblastomas, and how new targeted therapies are changing outcomes.