The fastest and most aggressive malignant glioblastoma...symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, and cramps that have never happened before

Jun 17, 2025

Photo source=DeepAI

Hong Hae-in (played by Kim Ji-won), the main character of the popular drama 'Queen of Tears', was diagnosed with a hypothetical malignant brain tumor called 'Cloud Celloma' and was diagnosed with a three-month deadline. This is a hypothetical disease and is presumed to be modeled after a real'glioblastoma'. Although it is a somewhat unfamiliar disease to the general public, glioblastoma is the most aggressive cancer originating from glioblastoma, which is distributed in large numbers in normal brain tissue. It is the most common tumor among primary malignant brain tumors that occur in adults, accounting for 12-15% of all brain tumors.

Glioblastoma grows very rapidly, which causes the patient's brain pressure to rise rapidly in a short period of time. Typical symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and memory loss, and convulsions such as epilepsy also appear. In addition, the nerve function is impaired due to the tumor itself or swelling of surrounding brain tissue, which can be accompanied by various symptoms such as decreased movement and sensation of limbs, facial paralysis, speech impairment, cognitive impairment, and left-right distinction. In particular, it is often found during related tests due to the recent increase in the elderly population and increased interest in dementia.

If an adult with no related medical history shows suspicious symptoms, brain imaging tests such as CT and MRI are performed. Brain MRI is the main diagnostic method, and proton emission tomography (PET) is also performed to predict the degree of malignancy when brain cancer is suspected in brain MRI. Additionally, additional imaging tests such as functional MRI or Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) may also be required for brain cancers adjacent to critical areas such as motor, language, and sensory centers of the brain to plan safe operations. The final diagnosis is made through biopsy or surgical resection.

Standard treatment is an integrated treatment consisting of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In general, tumor cells of glioblastoma extend to surrounding tissues like tentacles, making it very difficult to completely remove them, but in recent years, advanced technologies such as brain mapping, stereotactic devices, ultrasonic inhalers, and high magnification surgical microscopes have made sophisticated surgeries possible to minimize damage to surrounding tissues. After surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are combined to prevent recurrence and complete treatment. However, if the tumor is located deep in the brain or in the brain stem, surgery may be difficult, and in this case, radiation and chemotherapy are performed after diagnosis through biopsy.

Currently, the exact cause of glioblastoma has not been identified. Several factors, such as genetic factors, environmental effects, and radiation exposure, are presumed to act in combination, but further research is needed as a clear causal relationship has not yet been identified.

Professor Seo Young-beom of neurosurgery at Korea University Ansan Hospital said, `Glioblastoma is a malignant tumor that proliferates quickly and has a poor prognosis, so there are many patients and guardians who fall into despair during diagnosis. However, as advanced brain diagnosis, surgical equipment, and technology continue to develop, sophisticated and accurate tumor resection has become possible, and radiation therapy and chemotherapy are improving day by day, it is important to treat with a positive mind through consultation with a specialist. In addition, continuous communication with medical staff and emotional support from families are also very important because the initial treatment period takes at least eight months.'