Glioblastoma Multiforme Survivor With Radiation-Induced Consequences: A Case Report

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive malignant tumor of the brain with a poor prognosis and no known cure. Current treatment options for this aggressive malignancy include surgical resection, adjuvant radiation therapy, and systemic pharmacological therapy. This case report presents one patient's experience with resolved glioblastoma multiforme treated by surgical resection and radiation therapy and discusses her later development and treatment of a radiation-induced meningioma. Despite developing radiation-induced morbidities, the patient experienced an extended life because of the aggressive treatment. It is thought that the young age of this patient at the time of diagnosis may have contributed to her prolonged survival time. When balancing aggressive treatment plans to increase survival time in glioblastoma multiforme patients, risks and potential consequences of treatment, such as post-surgical changes, vascular dementia, strokes, and meningiomas, should be weighed and discussed with the patient. Furthermore, striving for a high quality of life should be kept at the forefront of every treatment plan in all patients with glioblastoma multiforme.