Glioblastoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Glioblastoma?
A neuro-oncologist, a doctor who treats brain tumors, usually leads care. A neurosurgeon, a doctor who operates on the brain, is part of the team. Medical oncologists and radiation oncologists also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. A primary brain tumor starts in the brain. It is also called glioblastoma multiforme.
Glioblastoma is a grade IV tumor. The tumor cells do not look like normal cells under a microscope. They grow and spread very quickly.
Glioblastoma is a type of glioma, a tumor that starts in glial cells. Glial cells are found around the nerve cells of the brain.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the tumor is and how big it is. Common signs include:
- Morning headache, or a headache that goes away after vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Vision, hearing, or speech problems.
- Frequent nausea and vomiting, or loss of appetite.
- Changes in personality, mood, ability to focus, or behavior.
- Loss of balance and trouble walking.
- Weakness, or numbness or tingling on one side of the body.
- Confusion or memory loss.
These signs can also come from other conditions, including cancer that has spread to the brain.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of most adult brain and spinal cord tumors is not known. Anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Radiation therapy used to treat brain cancers can increase the risk of brain tumors up to 20 or 30 years later.
Being exposed to vinyl chloride, may increase the risk of glioma.
Some inherited conditions raise the risk of brain tumors. These include neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors diagnose brain tumors by doing a neurologic exam and tests including an MRI, CT scan, and biopsy.
An MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the brain and spinal cord. A CT scan is also used to look for a brain tumor.
A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue. A sample of brain tissue is removed and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist, a doctor who studies tissue. The pathologist checks the sample to find out the type and grade of the tumor.
An open biopsy removes part of the skull in an operation called a craniotomy. A sample of brain tissue is then taken from the tumor.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and type of tumor and your general health. Brain tumors are best treated by a team of doctors.
Surgery removes tumor tissue. It can help lower pressure on nearby brain areas. Grade IV tumors usually cannot be completely removed by surgery. When the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms.
Treatment of glioblastoma may include the following options:
- Surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy given at the same time, followed by chemotherapy alone.
- Surgery followed by radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy placed into the brain during surgery.
- Radiation therapy and chemotherapy given at the same time.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors.
Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances that attack cancer cells with less harm to normal cells. Bevacizumab is used in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma, which means the tumor has come back. Bevacizumab may prevent the growth of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow.
Supportive care includes drugs to control seizures and fluid buildup or swelling in the brain. You may consider enrolling in a clinical trial after talking with your treatment team.
When to see a doctor
Check with your doctor if you have any of these signs: morning headaches, vision, hearing, or speech problems, or mood changes.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or suddenly have reduced alertness, vision changes, or speech changes. Also call 911 or go to the emergency room for trouble breathing, fainting or loss of consciousness, or a sudden change in mental state.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can give a first evaluation, follow up between visits, and help coordinate care with specialists. They do not perform brain surgery or other specialist procedures.
Common questions
Is glioblastoma a type of brain cancer?
Yes. It is a malignant tumor, which means it has cancer cells that grow quickly. It is the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor.
Can glioblastoma spread?
Yes, mostly within the brain and spine. Primary brain tumors may spread to other parts of the brain or to the spine, and they rarely spread to other parts of the body. Grade IV tumors usually cannot be completely removed by surgery.
Do cell phones cause glioblastoma?
No. Cell phones have not been proven to raise the risk of brain tumors.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Adult Central Nervous System Tumors Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version
- MedlinePlus - Brain Tumors
- MedlinePlus - Brain tumor - primary - adults
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
