Doctor reveals subtle change in personality may be early sign of rare brain cancer

Experts have revealed that a very specific change in personality may be an early sign of rare brain cancer known as glioblastoma, which is a type of glioma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is known as one of the most common, complex, treatment-resistant, and deadliest cancers that completely devastates the brain, which, as we know, controls cognition, mood, behaviour, and personality, as well as every function of each organ and body part.

The fast-growing cancer typically has a poor prognosis, with roughly just 25 percent of those diagnosed surviving for one year or more.

People who have loved ones who have been diagnosed with this aggressive type of cancer have bravely taken to Reddit to share their experiences with one specific symptom linked to glioblastoma, as one admitted they're 'not the same person anymore'.

Experts have shared one key symptom of an extremely rare brain cancer (Getty Stock Images)

Real-life experiences of glioblastoma

Writing on the r/glioblastoma thread, one Redditor penned: "My brother has a h3 k27m-mutant diffuse glioma located on his Thalamus. On Easter, his personality was starting to dwindle. Now he's not him. He's angry all the time and lashes out verbally at his wife. His memory issues are getting worse."

A second shared: "My former partner was diagnosed with GBM in 2023 and the tumour was on his parietal lobe. It was removed and a resection was followed with six months of oral chemotherapy and radiation. Myself and his family began to notice personality changes about six months ago.

"Even though there is no recurrence of the tumour, he is not the same person anymore. Mutual friends of ours have noticed it as well. He would get more verbally aggressive toward me, got upset very easily to the point you could not reason with him, and snap at his family."

"Yes unfortunately radio therapy can cause things like that yes even months after treatment," offered a third. "Neuro symptoms can present months and months after due to radiation-induced brain damage. Can be permanent, could and progressive. It is also possible it could be due to the tumour. Some medications may help with that, my mom was all over the place for a while as well, took medication tweaking, it's hard I'm sorry."

It's important to note there are a number of other accompanying symptoms linked to the cancer (Getty Stock Images)

What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?

Now, according to Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD, some of the most common symptoms of gliomas include personality changes and irritability.

Other symptoms include:

• Recurring headaches
• Drowsiness
• Unprovoked nausea and vomiting
• New-onset seizures
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of balance
• Personality changes and irritability

Some of the most common symptoms of gliomas include personality changes and irritability (Getty Stock Images)

Glioblastoma personality changes explained

And, as The Brain Tumour Charity notes, our brains control every aspect of who we are, what we think and how we feel.

So, it’s perhaps not too surprising, then, that a brain tumour or its treatment can cause changes to someone’s personality or behaviour.

According to the charity, brain tumour behaviour and personality changes can include:

• irritability or aggression
• confusion and forgetfulness
• apathy (lack of interest and motivation)
• depression and flattening of emotion
• loss of inhibitions or restraints and behaving in socially or culturally unacceptable ways
• anxiety
• mood swings or extreme moods
• difficulty planning and organising
• difficulty identifying emotions in yourself and others.

Sufferers may be impacted by anti-seizure medication side effects known as 'Keppra rage' (Getty Stock Images)

'Keppra rage'

Likewise, the National Brain Society explains that sufferers may be impacted by anti-seizure medication side effects.

The likes of Keppra (levetiracetam) is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug used to control seizures.

While it is generally well-tolerated, some patients experience significant behavioural side effects, one of which is colloquially known as 'Keppra rage', with side effects ranging 'from mild irritability to severe aggression and emotional instability'.

"Patients living with glioblastoma are already at an increased risk of anxiety and depression due to the emotional burden of their diagnosis and the impact of the tumour itself. Keppra rage can exacerbate these conditions, making emotional management more difficult," the official website adds.

You can find out more about brain tumours on the official NHS website here.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week