U.S. Senator John McCain has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that can be tough to treat. It’s the most common and also the most malignant primary brain tumor.
Increased pressure in the brain can cause symptoms including headache, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. The average patient survives about 15 months.
But. Dr. Andrew Sloan, Director of the Brain Tumor and Neuro-oncology Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center says, “I always encourage my patients that averages are just that, averages, and there are many people who do better than average. I have patients who live for 2, 5, even 10 years.
The American Brain Tumor Association says more than 12,000 cases are expected to be diagnosed this year. Treatment for glioblastoma typically involves surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and then chemotherapy and radiation. Many patients are also opting for experimental treatments.
“Novel types of therapy such as tumor vaccines or immunotherapy..viral therapy. There’s a new device that basically you can wear and it creates alternating currents that are designed to confuse the tumor cells. All those are adjuncts to the standard of care,” Dr. Sloan explains.
Senator McCain is said to be weighing his next treatment options with his family and doctors.
Glioblastoma is the type of cancer that killed Senator Ted Kennedy and Beau Biden, the son of Former Vice President Joe Biden.
