Coping With a Brain Tumor and Its Side Effects
- A marathon runner, 42, was diagnosed with two brain tumors—one the size of a tennis ball—after experiencing stroke-like symptoms during dinner. The tumors were identified as astrocytomas, a more aggressive type of glioma that can silently grow for years before triggering symptoms.
- George Wade underwent a 12-hour brain surgery, followed by chemotherapy for treatment.
- According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), brain tumors make up 85–90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. They can be benign or malignant, with treatment and symptoms varying based on tumor type and location.
- Brain tumors don’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but they can significantly affect brain function and overall health. Common signs include headaches, memory loss, confusion, balance issues, vision changes, and shifts in mood or personality.
- Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and aggressive cancerous brain tumor in adults. Its complexity lies in the genetic diversity of its cells, making treatment especially difficult, but ongoing research is pushing to improve outcomes and quality of life.
“I was told I have two brain tumors – a large one on the right side of my head, which was described as the size of a tennis ball, and another smaller one, the size of a squash ball, in the middle,” George Wade told news outlet “Mirror.”
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Surprisingly, initial tests did not lead the worried couple toward any clear answers. “The following day, he arranged for me to have a blood and eye test, which came back all clear, and he assured me I was fine. He said just to be safe, he would get me an MRI scan,” Wade added.“I was later told the bigger one might have been growing for 20 years, and only now it has gotten so big it was pushing my brain and causing symptoms.”
WATCH: What to Consider Between Biopsy versus Surgery.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans offer detailed images of the brain, helping doctors detect tumors based on how they look and behave. However, imaging alone often isn’t enough to fully understand the tumor’s nature. In many cases, the next step is surgery—not just to remove as much of the tumor as possible, but also to confirm a diagnosis through lab analysis of the tissue. Biopsies can be performed during surgery or separately, depending on the situation.
Dr. D. Ryan Ormond, a neurosurgeon at the University of Colorado in Denver, told SurvivorNet that determining whether surgery is a viable option comes first.
“It’s usually pretty straightforward—can we get enough of the tumor out to make a difference in their life with surgery?” Dr. Ormond explained.
The types of tumors Wade had were astrocytomas.
Dr. Burt Nabors, a neuro-oncology expert at UAB Medicine, explains that astrocytomas tend to be more aggressive than other gliomas.
These are star-shaped cells that play a crucial role in brain function. They help regulate immune responses, control brain chemistry, and provide structural support to neurons. They are essential in maintaining the brain’s delicate balance of chemicals and protecting against harmful substances. When a tumor forms from astrocytes, it is called an astrocytoma, and these tumors tend to be more aggressive than some other types of gliomas.
“Astrocytoma is typically a little more on the aggressive side,” Dr. Nabors told SurvivorNet.
Following his diagnosis, Wade underwent a grueling 12-hour brain surgery, during which doctors removed 95% of the larger tumor. But the battle wasn’t over. The tumor later progressed to stage 4, prompting a new round of chemotherapy.
“I feel so fortunate to be living in 2025, not 1980,” Wade said. “The chemotherapy I underwent last year came in pill form, allowing me to take them at home, and I had anti-sickness tablets to accompany them, making things much easier than they would have been four decades ago.”
Today, Wade continues to receive regular scans every few months to monitor his condition. His journey is a powerful reminder that even the fittest bodies can face unexpected battles—and that early detection, persistence, and modern medicine can make all the difference.
Expert Resources for Brain Cancer
- Radiosurgery Saves Brain Function in Patients Where Cancer’s Spread to Multiple Parts of Their Brain
- A Utah Brain Cancer Expert’s Quick Guide To The ‘Standard of Care’ Treatment Options For Glioblastoma
- Immunotherapy Update: New Study Suggests Immunotherapy May Be Useful For Some Types Of Brain Cancer
- An Innovative Treatment Option For Glioblastoma: The Pros And Cons of Tumor Treating Fields
- Managing Glioblastoma Expectations and Exploring Treatment Options
Better Understanding Brain Tumors
Brain tumors can impact a person’s cognitive function and overall well-being, depending largely on the tumor’s size, type, and specific location within the brain. When large enough, tumors may interfere with the central nervous system, pressing on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or tissues. This disruption may result in difficulties with coordination, balance, or mobility.
WATCH: Hope for Glioblastoma Research
While some brain tumors cause noticeable symptoms, others can go unnoticed for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they might include:
- Persistent headaches
- Difficulty speaking or processing thoughts
- Muscle weakness
- Behavioral or personality changes
- Vision disturbances
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Confusion
- Memory issues
Treatment Options for Brain Tumors
Treatment strategies for brain cancer depend on several variables, including the tumor’s size, type, grade, and location. Doctors may recommend:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Your medical team will help guide you based on your individual diagnosis. The prognosis—or outlook—depends on:
- Tumor type and growth rate
- Tumor location in the brain
- Presence of genetic mutations or abnormalities
- Whether the entire tumor can be removed
- The patient’s overall health
Types of Brain Tumors: Cancerous and Non-Cancerous
According to the National Cancer Institute, brain tumors can vary greatly in behavior. Some common non-cancerous (benign) types include:
- Chordomas: Slow-growing, often found near the spine’s base or where it meets the skull
- Craniopharyngiomas: Develop near the pituitary gland; rare and slow-growing
- Gangliocytomas: Form on the temporal lobe and affect the central nervous system
- Glomus jugulare: Rare and slow-growing
- Meningiomas: Typically grow on the brain’s outer protective layer (dura mater)
- Pineocytomas: Arise from the pineal gland near the brain’s center
- Pituitary adenomas: Located in the pituitary gland; generally slow-growing
- Schwannomas: Originate in Schwann cells, which insulate nerve fibers
- Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas): Impact on hearing and balance nerves
Common malignant (cancerous) brain tumors include:
- Gliomas: The most frequent and aggressive form of primary brain cancer
- Astrocytomas: Derived from star-shaped brain cells, with four growth grades
- Ependymomas: Graded based on aggressiveness
- Oligodendrogliomas: Can grow slowly (Grade 2) or aggressively (Grade 3)
- Medulloblastomas: Fast-growing and often found in children
- Glioblastomas: The most common and aggressive brain tumor in adults
Understanding the Impact of a Glioblastoma Brain Tumor
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive central nervous system tumor. As the National Cancer Institute explains, glioblastomas “grow and spread very quickly.”
WATCH: Using electric sources to improve glioblastoma treatment.
- Average survival rate: 15 months with treatment, fewer than six months without
- Five-year survival rate: ~6%; those who survive long-term continue treatment indefinitely
- Treatment challenges: Due to their cellular diversity (heterogeneity), glioblastomas are difficult to fully remove via surgery. The remaining cells rapidly grow back after surgery.
Dr. Friedman and other researchers are exploring innovative strategies like poliovirus therapy and immunotherapy to raise survival rates above 20%.
RELATED: Standard of Care Plus & The Treatment Path for High-Grade Gliomas
Risk factors for glioblastoma include:
- Prior radiation exposure
- Male gender
- Age 50+
- Genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and von Hippel-Lindau disease
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Mood or personality changes
- Speech difficulties
- Hearing, smell, or vision changes
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Irregular breathing or pulse
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a brain tumor, consider asking:
- What type of brain tumor do I have, and what grade or stage is it?
- What treatment options are available for my specific diagnosis?
- What are the risks and benefits of those treatments?
- What side effects might I expect, and how can they be managed?
- What is my prognosis?
- Will additional tests or imaging be needed to track progress?
- Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
- How might treatment affect my daily life and activities?
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