Glioblastoma Symptoms

Glioblastoma symptoms can be very different from one patient to the next. They depend on the tumor’s location in the brain, how much pressure it is putting on the skull, and how quickly it is growing. Glioblastoma can:

• Invade and destroy brain tissue that may be 
• Put pressure on nearby tissue
• Take up space and increase pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure)
• Cause fluids to accumulate in the brain
• Block normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid through the spaces within the brain

Early glioblastoma signs and symptoms

Some of the first signs of a brain tumor may include:

• Headaches. Headaches caused by brain tumors usually become more frequent as time passes. These headaches may not get better with over-the-counter pain medicine.
• Nausea or vomiting, especially with headaches.
• Changes in mood or behavior. You may become withdrawn, moody or inefficient at work. You may feel sleepy, confused and unable focus. Depression or anxiety may be symptoms, especially if either develops suddenly. You may become uninhibited or behave in ways you never have before.
• Problems thinking clearly, remembering things or focusing.
• Trouble speaking or finding the right words.
• Seizures. Seizures can take many different forms. These include numbness, tingling, uncontrollable arm and leg movements, difficulty speaking, strange smells or sensations, staring, and unresponsive episodes or convulsions.
• Worsening headaches, especially when you lie down, bend over or bear down, such as when you have a bowel movement.
• Changes in vision, such as double or blurry vision. You may develop peripheral vision loss that prevents you from seeing objects to your side.
• Smelling or hearing problems
• Loss of balance or difficulty walking
• Weakness or numbness in parts of the body
• Loss of coordination or control over movements
• Change in the ability to feel heat, cold, pressure, a light touch or sharp objects

Conditions with similar symptoms

These symptoms may not mean you have brain cancer. Other conditions that share some of these symptoms include:

• Migraines or chronic headaches
• Seizure disorders like epilepsy
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety
• Infections, including meningitis or encephalitis
• Neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s

Because many of these symptoms can be caused by different conditions, only imaging tests (like an MRI or CT scan) can confirm whether a tumor is present. Other tests can be performed such as an EEG (for seizures) and a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to rule out conditions like multiple sclerosis and infection (e.g., meningitis).

What does glioblastoma feel like?

Glioblastoma doesn’t cause pain directly, but it can lead to a variety of symptoms as it presses on nerves or disrupts brain tissue. Common signs include persistent headaches (often worse in the morning), nausea, vomiting, seizures, weakness or numbness in parts of the body and difficulty with balance or coordination. Fatigue and confusion are also possible. Symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s size and location, and while these issues can have other causes, any new, worsening or unexplained neurological symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Glioblastoma risk factors

Anyone can get a brain tumor, but certain factors may increase your risk:

• Family history of brain tumors or genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis
• Weakened immune system, due to illness or medications
• History of cancer that can spread to the brain

Learn more about the risk factors for glioblastoma.

When to see a doctor

If you notice any unusual changes in how you feel, think, see, hear, speak, move or understand things, it’s important to pay attention—especially if symptoms occur suddenly or get worse over time. Discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may signal other health problems.

See a doctor if you:

• Have headaches that get worse or don’t go away
• Experience new or unusual seizures
• Notice changes in your vision, speech, balance or personality
• Feel very confused, drowsy or forgetful
• Have symptoms that don’t improve or that keep coming back
• Early diagnosis can lead to better treatment options and may help prevent complications.