After nearly two years battling against an inoperable brain tumour, The Wanted singer Tom Parker died on March 30 at the age of 33.
The musician, who confirmed that he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in October 2020, had been taking radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.
In January 2021, he said that there had been "significant reduction" in the size of his tumour and that he was "responding well to treatment".
However, sources close to the singer revealed after his death that Tom's condition had deteriorated quickly after his recent reunion tour with The Wanted, where he performed on stage despite his condition.
Here's what you need to know about glioblastoma, the illness from which Tom Parker suffered.
What is a glioblastoma?
According to the NHS, brain tumours are given grades from one to four to mark how serious they are, with grades one and two being non-cancerous and grade three and four tumours being cancerous, fast-growing and difficult to treat.
A glioblastoma - also known as glioblastoma multiforme, GMB, GMB4 or a grade four astrocytoma - falls in within the latter category, being a grade four brain tumour.
These tumours are categorised by the Brain Tumour Charity as "the most common high grade primary brain tumour in adults", explaining that glioblastoma are:
- Fast growing
- Diffuse into “threadlike tendrils that extend into other parts of the brain”
- May spread within the brain
- May come back, even if intensively treated
Symptoms of glioblastoma
The symptoms of a person with a glioblastoma depends where in the brain the tumour is situated and how big it is, as well as how aggressive it is.
Some symptoms of glioblastoma can include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and dizziness
- Loss of taste and smell
- Change in personality
- Cognitive difficulties
- Difficulties with communicating
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Issues with memory
- Seizures
- Learning difficulties
- Problems with sight
Diagnosis of a glioblastoma involves a neurological exam to test vision, hearing, speech, strength, sensation and balance as well as reflexes.
Doctors will also check eyes to look for any swelling caused by pressure on the optic nerve, and take a medical history and physical exam to understand the patient's symptoms, personal and family health history.
What causes a glioblastoma?
The causes of glioblastomas remain unknown, with there currently being no evidence that they might be triggered by lifestyle choices.
Researchers are looking into the genetic and molecular changes that occur to cells, to try and understand why glioblastomas grow.
The Brain Tumour Charity said: "Research is gradually discovering genes which are involved in different types of tumours."
The charity added that the future research could be used to "predict how people may respond to certain treatments" and their chances of survival.
How is a glioblastoma treated?
If someone with a glioblastoma is well enough, the first course of treatment would be neurosurgery, where doctors attempt to remove as much of the tumour as they possibly can.
After this, patients might receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a mix of both to further treat the tumour.
A new course of treatment sees gliadel wafers, which are implants inserted into the brain, to distribute chemotherapy for people with a glioblastoma.
Medications to manage symptoms like headaches, seizures and vomiting may also be prescribed to patients.
