Glioblastoma advice

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Hello, I have been working hospice for approx six months and have a new young female patient with Glioblastoma. I am unsure of exactly what symptoms to expect from her as her condition advances and want to be ahead of the game with her care. I would appreciate any input and advise from those familiar with this condition. Thank you so much.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Her symptom burden will depend greatly upon several things...

has she had a debulking procedure on the primary tumor?

How functional is she now?

These patients are often at risk for seizures and I would prepare for that possibility.

Otherwise they mostly (in my experience) suffer quick losses of function and cognitive skill as they move toward death.

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Thank you for your response. The pt has right side hemiparesis with aphasia and c/o pain with movement but is unwilling to take anything stronger than Ibuprofen. He has not had any debulking procedures and has failed chemo.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

What is the nature of the pain?

If it is neuropathic pain it may respond well to something like gabapentin. Your opiate naive patient may not decline that option.

Is he on anti-convulsants? Does he have a history of seizures? I would be prepped for that.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Have you considered steroid tx for swelling/pain? I find a lot of success with using Decadron, either BID or TID.

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Specializes in ICU, hospice.
Have you considered steroid tx for swelling/pain? I find a lot of success with using Decadron either BID or TID.[/quote']

I do a lot of decade on for pain/energy/appetite/general up lifter. Only saw 1 pt get angry on 2 mg bid

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