What is glioblastoma, brain cancer that ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ author had?  – Firstpost

Sophie Kinsella will be remembered as “a wonderful, warm woman”, “someone who wore success and brilliance so lightly.” The bestselling British author of the “Shopaholic” series died on Wednesday (December 10) at the age of 55, after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. 

Kinsella, whose real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, became a household name for her “Shopaholic” series of novels. Her books, which include “Confessions of a Shopaholic”, “Shopaholic Abroad”, “Shopaholic Ties the Knot”, and several others, have sold more than 50 million copies in more than 60 countries. They have been translated into more than 40 languages. 

On Wednesday, the author’s family confirmed Kinsella’s death after battling with glioblastoma for years. “She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy,” it said in a statement.

What do we know about Sophie Kinsella’s illness?  

Sophie Kinsella revealed in April 2024 that she was diagnosed more than a year ago. “I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our ‘new normal,’” she had said.

The writer started experiencing symptoms like memory loss, headaches, and balance problems in November 2022, which led to her diagnosis. In interviews after the prognosis, she said that she focused on living in the moment. “I’ve already lasted more than the average. That’s how we get through. We hope.” 

What is glioblastoma, the cancer that claimed Sophie Kinsella? 

Glioblastoma, also known as GBM or glioblastoma multiforme, is considered the fastest-growing and deadliest brain cancer. It begins with the growth of cells in the brain and spinal cord, which multiply quickly. The tumour grows from glial cells in the human brain and spinal cord called astrocytes, which play a vital role in helping nerve cells function.   

Glioblastoma spreads and can easily infiltrate all healthy brain tissues. According to braintumourresearch.org, glioblastoma is the most common but aggressive brain tumour in adults. It tends to occur often in older adults. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified this form of tumour as a grade IV, making it the most severe type of glioma. 

A devastating type of cancer, it can result in death without any treatment in less than six months. After removal, the tumours often recur, making treatment difficult. 

Neurosurgeon Dr Paul Gustin said, “Mainly, in the case of glioblastoma, we try to present the facts that can help patients deal with the disease.”   

How common is glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumour, accounts for about 48 per cent of all cases. It causes 200,000 deaths worldwide every year. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with GBM every year. 

In the UK, if about 3,200 people are diagnosed with a glioblastoma every year, then of these, merely 160 survive for five years or more, according to a UK-based medical research charity that is dedicated to raising awareness of these brain tumours. 

What are the symptoms, causes and risk factors? 

In the case of glioblastoma, symptoms tend to come on quickly, putting pressure and causing various issues in healthy brain tissue. Glioblastoma symptoms vary based on tumour location, but often include: 

2. Blurred or double vision

3. Continuous headaches, especially in the morning 3

4. Loss of appetite 4

5. Memory problems 5

6. Nausea and vomiting 6

7. Changes in personality and mood 7

8. Muscle weakness or balance issues 8

9. Seizures 9

10. Difficulty speaking or understanding language 10

11. Constant changes in sensation, numbness or tingling 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, researchers don’t know the exact cause of glioblastoma. However, they often suggest that changes in DNA lead to the development of glioblastoma brain tumours. 

As cited by the Cleveland Clinic, researchers also note that your DNA gives instructions to cells about how to grow and multiply. Any changes to the DNA in genes can cause cells to multiply out of control. 

While the main cause of this deadly disease is yet unknown, several risk factors have been identified: 

People between the ages of 45 and 75 are most affected by glioblastoma, with an average age at diagnosis is 64. 

Factors like previous radiation therapy to your head, more exposure to chemicals, like pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber and vinyl chloride are considered key factors that increase the risk. 

Even genetic conditions like rare syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni or Turcot syndrome can also be risk factors for glioblastoma. 

Braintumourresearch.org notes that most glioblastomas occur sporadically, without a clear genetic or environmental trigger. 

How is glioblastoma treated? 

There’s no cure for glioblastoma. Treatment may slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms, but it can come back even after being removed. 

This cancer is infamously tough to treat because it grows quickly and often invades adjacent brain tissue instead of producing a clean, detachable mass, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 

Removal surgery of glioblastoma, radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife), chemotherapy, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), targeted therapy and others are included in the treatment of glioblastoma. 

Surgery aims to remove as much tumour as possible, while a complete removal is rarely achievable. In radiation therapy, X-rays damage cancer cells. A continuous 30-day treatment over six weeks can show a positive result. Chemotherapy circulates medication in your bloodstream to kill cancer cells. Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is done with the use of laser energy that invades the tumour. 

With inputs from agencies