What is glioblastoma, what are the symptoms of Tessa Jowell’s brain cancer and how is it treated?

FORMER minister for public health and culture secretary Tessa Jowell has spoken out about her cancer battle.

But what is glioblastoma and what are the symptoms? Here's the lowdown...

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What is glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is the most common high grade cancerous primary brain tumour in adults.

The cancer begins in the brain and is often quick to spread.

There are no known causes of glioblastoma, as is the case with most brain tumours.

The aggressive cancer is difficult to treat and is resistant to treatment, as the cells within the tumour are not all of the same type.

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What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?

The symptoms can initially be quite non-specific.

They often include headaches, nausea, confusion, memory loss and decline in brain function, problems with balance, incontinence and vomiting.

The symptoms can get worse very quickly sometimes progressing to unconsciousness.

What is the life expectancy of someone with glioblastoma?

There is no clear way to prevent the disease. It can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Despite the high intensity of the treatment the cancer usually recurs.

For most people diagnosed with glioblastoma the life expectancy is between 12 -15 months.

Those who decide not to have treatment are expected to live for around 3 months.

When was Tessa Jowell diagnosed with the brain cancer glioblastoma?

The former minister for public health and culture secretary Tessa Jowell was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour known as glioblastoma in May 2017.

She went public about the cancer on her birthday in September 2017.

The former MP for Dulwich and West Norwood spoke publicly about the cancer for the first time in an interview with the Today programme on January 24, 2018.

The brave mum said she was "not afraid" and wanted to raise awareness about the realities of the cancer.