Glioblastoma (also known as glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM), is most frequently diagnosed among the elderly, with a median age of diagnosis being 64 years and a significant predilection toward male gender [1] [2]. However, pediatric cases have also been documented, in whom an even stronger male predilection exists [1]. Although glioblastomas are not that common (incidence rate is about 2-5 per 100,000 individuals), they carry a very poor prognosis [1] [2]. Overall survival rarely exceeds 12-14 months from the time of diagnosis, which is why, according to the World Health Organization criteria (WHO), it is classified as a stage IV astrocytoma [3] [4] [5]. One of the reasons why such a poor outcome is expected is that GBM is often missed in its initial stages due to a nonspecific symptomatology and physicians often turn their attention to infections, vascular processes or immunological diseases prior to suspecting neoplastic disorders [1]. The clinical presentation initially includes headaches (due to increased intracranial pressure caused by the tumor), vomiting, nausea, frequent syncope and seizures, which may be the only sign in patients without a previous history of epilepsy [1] [6]. In time, cognitive dysfunction can appear, as well as gait disturbances, cranial nerve palsies, urinary incontinence, hemiparesis, aphasia, and disorientation, while vertigo is described in a minority of cases [1] [2] [6]. Moreover, various psychiatric manifestations have been described in patients with glioblastomas, such as personality disorders, loss of emotional control and anger, mood disorders (depression, mania) and marked anxiety, whereas hallucinations and psychosis, although rare, have also been observed [7].

• Weakness

  We compared characteristics between weak and strong galectin-1 expression, and only the expression level of galectin-3 showed a correlation. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Vomiting

  Main presenting symptoms included headache (85%), nausea or vomiting (65%), and seizures (35%). Papilledema (45%) was the most common physical finding. The longest survivals were achieved by a combination of operation and radiation (22 months). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Nausea

  Main presenting symptoms included headache (85%), nausea or vomiting (65%), and seizures (35%). Papilledema (45%) was the most common physical finding. The longest survivals were achieved by a combination of operation and radiation (22 months). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  These drugs can reduce swelling around the tumor, control seizures, and lessen nausea and vomiting. Glioblastoma in children As with adults, surgery is often the first treatment. It aims to remove as much tumor as possible. [drugs.com]

• Persistent Vomiting

  Herein, we present a case of intraventricular glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in a 16-year-old child with L2-HGA who presented with rapid functional decline and persistent vomiting. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Muscle Weakness

  Brain cancer symptoms Common symptoms of brain cancer may include headache, blurred or double vision, hearing loss, nausea or vomiting, memory loss, seizures, muscle weakness, speech difficulty, mood changes, unexplained tiredness, changes in menstrual [cancercenter.com]

  Symptoms can include: headaches nausea and vomiting sleepiness weakness on one side of your body memory loss problems with speech and language personality and mood changes muscle weakness double vision or blurred vision loss of appetite seizures Keep [healthline.com]

• Diplopia

  Case 2: Meningeal involvement A 31-year-old man presented with seizures and subsequent diplopia. Initial imaging revealed a space-occupying, non-enhancing lesion in the optic chiasm. An excision biopsy showed a grade II astrocytoma. [sajr.org.za]

  […] patients with supratentorial brain tumors.[2] o Increased Intracranial Pressure o Headache, especially retroorbital; sometimes worse upon awakening, improves during the day o Vomiting (with or without nausea) o Visual changes (blurring, blind spots, diplopia [physio-pedia.com]

  Patients usually report positional headache (worse in a dependent position), visual obscurations, exacerbation of focal symptoms, or sudden aggravation of seizures possibly followed by lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and diplopia 18, 52. [doi.org]

• Visual Impairment

  Treatment is given to relieve the symptoms, particularly visual impairment. Treatment may include repeated lumbar punctures or medications to decrease CSF. In severe cases, a shunt may be needed. [braintumor.org]

• Visual Impairment

  Treatment is given to relieve the symptoms, particularly visual impairment. Treatment may include repeated lumbar punctures or medications to decrease CSF. In severe cases, a shunt may be needed. [braintumor.org]

• Enlarged Blind Spot

  A 21-year-old man, who had GBM 7 years ago complained of a transient shadow in his vision and presented with normal visual acuity but optic disc edema and an enlarged blind spot in the right eye (oculus dexter, OD). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Seizure

  A 55-year-old woman with a history of celiac disease presented with focal seizures and a mass lesion located at the left frontal lobe. Management of seizures in these patients is challenging. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Seizures The type of seizures depend on where in the brain the tumor is located. [everydayhealth.com]

• Headache

  Main presenting symptoms included headache (85%), nausea or vomiting (65%), and seizures (35%). Papilledema (45%) was the most common physical finding. The longest survivals were achieved by a combination of operation and radiation (22 months). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Different From Other Headaches Headaches occur in about 50 percent of glioblastoma patients. [everydayhealth.com]

  Increased intracranial pressure leading to headaches, ataxia, visual deficits, and various other neurological deficits are encountered. [symptoma.com]

• Personality Change

  General symptoms for metastatic brain tumors include: Headaches Weakness on one side of the body Problems with balance Seizures Behavior, memory and personality changes Glioblastoma Mulitiforme Treatment Treatment plans are dependent upon the numbers [uwhealth.org]

  Symptoms Glioblastoma symptoms may include seizure, focal neurologic deficit (weakness or speech problems), headaches, personality changes and visual loss. Diagnosis Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging technique for diagnosis. [uclahealth.org]

• Dizziness

  A 42-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for occipital constrictive headache, dizziness and gait disturbance. Multimodality imaging including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a right cerebellar mass. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Proteinuria and edema Cardiac impairment Vascular system Thrombotic events Bleeding and disturbed wound healing Blood values Leukopenia and changes in hemoglobin levels Lymphopenia and immmunomodulation Hypothyroidism and other endocrine dysfunctions CNS Dizziness [medscape.com]

  Constantly dizzy, unable to do much at all really. But yes you are right, like your husband, he is not the same man and that is heartbreaking for myself and our 10 yr old son. [cancerresearchuk.org]

  Significant symptoms included intermittent vomiting, intermittent constipation, dizziness, headaches, numbness of the left arm, stiffness of both arms, and a pressure feeling of the posterior neck. [medicorcancer.com]

  The most common signs and symptoms of a newly diagnosed glioblastoma are: Headaches, combined With Nausea and Vomiting Sometimes dizziness or vertigo occur. These tend to occur in the early morning and often become persistent or severe. [everydayhealth.com]

• Aphasia

  A 42-year-old man visited our clinic because of right hemiparesis and total aphasia. Head magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enhanced multiple cystic lesions in the left temporal lobe suggesting an intra-parenchymal brain tumor. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Case report A 58-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room with acute onset of global aphasia. [em-consulte.com]

  In time, cognitive dysfunction can appear, as well as gait disturbances, cranial nerve palsies, urinary incontinence, hemiparesis, aphasia, and disorientation, while vertigo is described in a minority of cases. [symptoma.com]

  His development of expressive aphasia and mood disturbances over a relatively brief time period are all worrisome for central nervous system neoplasia. [oncolink.org]

  Five months later, he had an episode of confusion with receptive and expressive aphasia, lasting a few minutes, but no associated seizure. [sajr.org.za]

A complete physical workup is essential in order to place glioblastoma into the differential diagnosis of nonspecific central nervous system (CNS) symptoms and associated features. Firstly, a detailed patient history can reveal a history of epilepsy, the appropriate age for the development of glioblastoma (elderly patients) and a somewhat sudden onset of symptoms. Secondly, a thorough physical examination confirms the presence of neurological deficits and roughly determines the area of the brain that is affected by the underlying disorder. To solidify the diagnosis, imaging studies are the modality of choice, ranging from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to more advanced methods, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) [2]. MRI, and even CT, however, are often sufficient to confirm the tumor, and the mean diameter at the time of diagnosis is about 4 cm [1]. An enhancing heterogeneous mass with areas of central necrosis and surrounding edema is the typical presentation [2]. Despite evident clinical and imaging criteria, a definite diagnosis can only be made after obtaining a valid sample for biopsy and a histopathological examination with immunohistochemistry [1] [2]. Postoperative sampling is mandatory, while in cases when the tumor is not resectable, a fine needle aspiration or stereotactic biopsy can be performed [1] [2]. The decreased presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in glioma cells, as well as S100 positivity on immunohistochemistry, is important in the diagnosis of glioblastoma [1].

1. Urbańska K, Sokołowska J, Szmidt M, Sysa P. Glioblastoma multiforme – an overview. Contemporary Oncology. Contemp Oncol (Pozn). 2014;18(5):307-312.
2. Mesti T, Ocvirk J. Malignant gliomas: old and new systemic treatment approaches. Radiol Oncol. 2016;50(2):129-138.
3. Louis DN, Ohgaki H, Wiestler OD, et al. The 2007 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System. Acta Neuropathologica. 2007;114(2):97-109.
4. Aster, JC, Abbas, AK, Robbins, SL, Kumar, V. Robbins basic pathology. Ninth edition. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013.
5. Porter RS, Kaplan JL. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 19th Edition. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Whitehouse Station, N.J; 2011.
6. Sanli AM, Turkoglu E, Dolgun H, Sekerci Z. Unusual manifestations of primary Glioblastoma Multiforme: A report of three cases. Surg Neurol Int. 2010;1:87.
7. Boele FW, Rooney AG, Grant R, Klein M. Psychiatric symptoms in glioma patients: from diagnosis to management. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2015;11:1413-1420.