Glioblastoma prognosis (2024)

About glioblastomas

Glioblastomas (or GBMs) aregrade4 brain tumours. They are the most common highgradeprimary brain tumourin adults. Primary brain tumours are tumours that begin in the brain as opposed to spreading there.

Treatment for GBMs can includesurgeryfollowed bychemotherapyandradiotherapy.

What is a glioblastoma prognosis?

A prognosis is when your doctor tells you what to expect if you have a diagnosis, such as a glioblastoma.

Your doctor can’t be absolutely certain about what will happen to you following a brain tumour diagnosis. But, they can give you an estimate, based on your tumour type and current situation.

There are some things your doctor might not be able to predict, like how well you might respond totreatment. Cancer Research UK have some information about the things that can impact brain tumour survival.

This is whyprognosisis often an ongoing process, revised at different stages in your journey.

Glioblastoma survival rate

The average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of patients survive more than one year, and only 5% of patients survive more than five years.

The figures listed above are given in 1 and 5-year intervals simply because doctors use these intervals for research/measuring purposes – they are not meant to represent how long a person will live past those intervals. For example, a patient who is a 5-year survivor might live as long as any other healthy person, depending on their circ*mstances.

Please remember that statistics and averages can’t tell you what will happen to you specifically.

Find out more

Get your free Information Pack

Our Brain Tumour Information Pack can help you better understand your diagnosis and feel confident talking to your medical team.

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Receiving information about a glioblastoma prognosis

Different people approach their prognosis in different ways.

• Some do not want to know, because they are afraid of what they might hear and how it may affect them
• Some just need some time to cope with their diagnosis before asking about theirprognosis
• Others may want to know from the beginning, using their prognosis to plan ahead

There is no right or wrong answer to how or when you receive the news. It’s entirely up to you when, or if, you want to speak to your doctor about yourprognosis.

If you are feeling unsure or worried about a glioblastoma prognosis, contact our Support team on 0808 800 0004 or at support@thebraintumourcharity.org.