Sophie Kinsella Dies of Brain Cancer at 55; Here Are the Early Warning Signs of Glioblastoma That Most People Miss

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British author Sophie Kinsella, who turned humour, emotional honesty, and everyday chaos into an art form, died after battling glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, since 2022. Fifty-five-year-old Kinsella, who was born as Madeleine Sophie Wickham and is known for her Shopaholic series, continued her writing even as the aggressive brain cancer grew incurable. According to news reports, despite progressing illness, Kinsella continued to write, publish, and uplift millions.

Sophie's final days

Kinsella underwent surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, for treatment of brain cancer, which she first noticed in April 2021. She famously said in an interview that she deliberately withheld her diagnosis from her children, “I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our 'new normal.'” Her family said during the final days, love, music, and her close ones were her strength. Considered to be among the deadliest and fastest-growing brain tumours, glioblastoma often recurs even after removal, making effective treatment a challenging endeavour.

What is glioblastoma?

Also known as GBM, glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumour in adults. Doctors say it starts in a type of glial cell in the brain and spinal cord known as astrocytes. Cancer cells rapidly grow and multiply, and spread into other areas of your brain and spinal cord. Glial cells, including astrocytes, are vital to help nerve cells function. GBMs are the fastest-growing astrocytoma, a kind of tumour that forms in astrocytes. Experts say glioblastoma, which was earlier known as glioblastoma multiforme, is a devastating type of cancer that can result in death in fewer than six months without treatment.

What causes glioblastoma?

While the exact cause of glioblastoma is not known, like other tumours in your brain and spinal cord, experts believe it happens due to changes in your DNA. Your genes contain DNA, which gives instructions on how to grow and multiply. Mutations, or changes, to the DNA in your genes can cause cells to multiply out of control.

Signs and symptoms of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma symptoms may include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Severe headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Memory issues
• Mood changes
• Muscle weakness
• Balance issues
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• Speech issues
• 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 are the risk factors of glioblastoma?

According to doctors, glioblastoma mostly affects people aged 45 to 70 years, but the average age at diagnosis is 64. The following factors may increase your risk:

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