Q and A with Dr. John Boockvar

Dr. Boockvar is the Vice Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Director of the Brain Tumor Center, and the Pituitary/Neuroendocrine Center of the Department of Neurosurgery and the New York Head and Neck Institute at Lenox Hill and Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospitals. Today he joins the Glioblastoma Research Organization, for a quick Q&A session on all things Glioblastoma.

How is glioblastoma detected?

• Usually after an MRI of the brain and subsequent biopsy and resection.

How long can you live with Glioblastoma?

• More and more people are living more than two years and 5% live greater than 5 years.

What is the cause of glioblastoma?

• There is currently no known direct cause of GBM.

What is the life expectancy of a person with glioblastoma?

• The median survival of all GBM patients is 12-15 months, but as mentioned above, more and more people are living more than two years and 5% live greater than 5 years.

Is glioblastoma hereditary?

• NO - glioblastoma is NOT hereditary.

How can I help someone with glioblastoma?

• Psychosocial support is key, provide love and compassion throughout. Offer hope and do not infantilize the patient.

What are the symptoms of end stage glioblastoma?

• End stage GBM is usually PAINLESS. Patients commonly progress with longer and longer periods of sleep. It is rarely painful or violent. Patients become bed bound and ultimately will stop eating and then eventually pass in their sleep.

Is there any hope for glioblastoma?

• Yes. We are making slow but incremental strides towards better ways to overcome the BBB, harness the patient’s immune system and to understand the pathophysiology of the disease to make better treatments.