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Glioblastoma prognosis

Glioblastoma prognosis is when your doctor or medical team explains what you might expect from your diagnosis. Here we discuss average glioblastoma prognosis, but your prognosis will depend on things specific to you, such as how well you respond to treatment.

Short summary

Glioblastoma is a an aggressive type of brain tumour. And, the survival time for glioblastoma is sadly short on average. We discuss averages on this page, but please remember that everyone is different and averages can’t say what will happen to you specifically.

We know that glioblastoma prognosis is a sensitive topic and can be difficult to read about. Our Support Team is here if this is worrying or upsetting for you.

Below, we’ll look at:

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About glioblastomas

Glioblastomas (or GBMs) are grade 4 brain tumours. They are the most common high grade primary brain tumour in adults. Primary brain tumours are tumours that begin in the brain as opposed to spreading there.

Treatment for GBMs can include surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

What is a glioblastoma prognosis?

A prognosis is when your doctor tells you what to expect if you have a diagnosis, such as a glioblastoma.

Your doctor can’t be absolutely certain about what will happen to you following a brain tumour diagnosis. But, they can give you an estimate, based on your tumour type and current situation.

There are some things your doctor might not be able to predict, like how well you might respond to treatment. Cancer Research UK have some information about the things that can impact brain tumour survival.

This is why prognosis is often an ongoing process, revised at different stages in your journey.

Glioblastoma survival rate

The average glioblastoma survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of patients survive more than one year, and only 5% of patients survive more than five years.

The figures listed above are given in 1 and 5-year intervals simply because doctors use these intervals for research/measuring purposes – they are not meant to represent how long a person will live past those intervals. For example, a patient who is a 5-year survivor might live as long as any other healthy person, depending on their circumstances.

Please remember that statistics and averages can’t tell you what will happen to you specifically.

Find out more

Four booklets from The Brain Tumour Charity information pack spread out on a wooden table

Get your free Information Pack

Our Brain Tumour Information Pack can help you better understand your diagnosis and feel confident talking to your medical team.

Receiving information about a glioblastoma prognosis

Different people approach their prognosis in different ways.

  • Some do not want to know, because they are afraid of what they might hear and how it may affect them
  • Some just need some time to cope with their diagnosis before asking about their prognosis
  • Others may want to know from the beginning, using their prognosis to plan ahead

There is no right or wrong answer to how or when you receive the news. It’s entirely up to you when, or if, you want to speak to your doctor about your prognosis.

If you are feeling unsure or worried about a glioblastoma prognosis, contact our Support team on 0808 800 0004 or at support@thebraintumourcharity.org.


Glioblastoma prognosis factsheet

Glioblastoma factsheet – PDF

Our fact sheet gives you an overview of glioblastomas in adults and answers some of the questions you may have about this tumour type.

Glioblastoma factsheet – Clear Print – PDF

Our clear print fact sheet gives you an overview of glioblastomas in adults and answers some of the questions you may have about this tumour type.


If you have further questions, need to clarify any of the information on this page, or want to find out more about research and clinical trials, please contact our team:
Support and Information Services
0808 800 0004 Free from landlines and mobiles
Phone lines open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
A member of our Support & Information Team provides over-the-phone support for those diagnosed with Glioblastoma prognosis

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If you need someone to talk to or advice on where to get help, our Support and Information team is available by phone, email or live-chat.