Takeaway Food Order Triggers Shocking Brain Tumour Diagnosis in Medical Student

A 23-year-old British student had his life spiralled into chaos after a food takeaway order diagnosed a deadly and shocking brain tumour. Alex Warwick, a student at the University of Liverpool, suddenly fell ill and started having issues with his speech, before his friends noticed something was off. While ordering a takeaway along with a friend, Alex’s situation started worsening, and his housemates rushed him to the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Initially, he was diagnosed with a stroke and transferred to another hospital where more tests were conducted. It was revealed after a detailed investigation that Alex had a brain tumour and would need emergency surgery. However, even after the surgery and subsequent treatment, Alex’s brain tumour has not subsided.

Alex received a diagnosis of a very high-grade glioma, treated as a glioblastoma. Devastatingly, doctors say this typically carries a prognosis of 12 to 18 months. Whilst a substantial portion of the tumour was surgically removed, he was informed that chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be necessary to attempt to eliminate the remainder. “The pressure on his brain was so high, so he had to have a temporary external shunt put in, and we had to decide to make that a permanent shunt once he had the initial surgery,” Alex’s father, Ian, told the Mirror as he came to look him up in the hospital.

What is glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumour in adults. It starts in a type of glial cell in your brain and spinal cord known as astrocytes. Cancer cells rapidly grow, multiply, and spread into other areas of your brain and spinal cord. Rarely, cancer spreads beyond these areas. Glial cells, including astrocytes, are vital to help in the functioning of nerve cells. GBMs are the fastest-growing astrocytoma. Also known as glioblastoma multiforme, glioblastoma is a devastating type of cancer that can result in death in fewer than six months without treatment. If you notice any symptoms like vision changes, memory problems, headaches, or seizures, visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Signs and symptoms of glioblastoma

A few signs and symptoms of glioblastoma include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Mood or personality changes
• Muscle weakness or balance issues
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Speech problems
• Changes in sensation, numbness, or tingling

Glioblastoma symptoms tend to come on quickly. The growing tumour puts pressure on your brain and can destroy healthy brain tissue.

What causes glioblastoma?

Even though the real cause of gliomas is not known, according to experts, it may happen due to certain changes in your DNA. Your genes contain DNA, which gives instructions to your cells about how to grow and multiply. Mutations, or changes, to the DNA in your genes can cause cells to multiply out of control. You may inherit genetic variations from your biological parents. But inherited GBMs are rare. Most commonly, these mutations happen randomly during your lifetime.

Risk factors of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma most often affects people ages 45 to 70. The average age at diagnosis is 64. Doctors say a few risk factors may increase your risk:

• Exposure to chemicals, like pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber, and vinyl chloride
• Genetic, tumour-causing conditions
• Previous radiation therapy to your head