The death of Theo Burrell, an auctioneer and star of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, at the age of 38 has drawn attention to the early warning signs of glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Burrell was diagnosed with the disease in 2022 and passed away on Wednesday, having outlived the typical prognosis of 12 to 18 months following surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. She had shared aspects of her journey with followers on Instagram.

One of the initial symptoms Burrell experienced in late 2021, which she initially dismissed, was car sickness. She reported experiencing this during a long journey, despite never having suffered from it before. Alongside the car sickness, she also experienced migraines and vision problems. At the time, with her son recently starting nursery, she attributed these issues to a potential stomach bug.

It was not until the summer of 2022 that Burrell sought medical attention for severe migraines, leading to a CT scan at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Doctors discovered a glioblastoma, and surgeons subsequently removed 90 percent of the tumor. Despite further treatment, glioblastomas are known for their lethality, with a five-year survival rate of only five to 10 percent.

Less Common Symptoms of Glioblastoma

Experts emphasize that early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Some of the early signs of glioblastoma are not typically associated with brain tumors:

  • Vision Disturbances: Sudden double vision can be a symptom, often caused by increased pressure within the brain due to swelling or the tumor pressing on nerves controlling eye movement.
  • Increased Urgency to Urinate: Nearly 40 percent of glioblastoma patients experience urinary incontinence. This can occur when tumors, particularly those near the spinal cord, affect nerves controlling the bladder and pelvic muscles.
  • Sudden Clumsiness: Weakness in the arms and legs, manifesting as a loss of coordination or sudden clumsiness, can be an early indicator. This is due to the tumor affecting the motor cortex, the brain region responsible for movement. Phil Edmondson, a 39-year-old HGV driver, experienced this as a loss of feeling in his right hand, which he initially dismissed as clumsiness.
  • Persistent Nausea and Dizziness: Growing brain tumors can increase intracranial pressure, leading to feelings of sickness. Hormonal imbalances caused by the tumor can also contribute to unrelenting nausea. Pamela Cook, who died at 65, was initially told her symptoms of dizziness and fatigue were due to depression.
  • Extreme Exhaustion: A profound and persistent sense of fatigue can be a symptom, as the body expends significant energy fighting the cancerous mass.
  • Auditory Changes: Tinnitus, characterized by a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears, is a rarer symptom that can occur if a tumor presses on the auditory nerve or affects the brain's sound processing areas.
  • Altered Sense of Touch: Depending on the tumor's size and location, individuals may lose the ability to perceive different temperatures, textures, or pressure.
  • Irritability and Behavioral Changes: Glioblastomas can trigger psychological issues and mood disorders. Tumors can cause abnormal behaviors, including loss of inhibitions and increased irritability.
  • Unexplained Numbness or Tingling: Tumors in the sensory cortex or parietal lobe can lead to numbness and tingling, often in the limbs. This can also be a sign of miniature seizures in the brain.