Seve Ballesteros tumour diagnosis. Information from Brain Tumour UK
7 November 2008

With advice from healthcare professionals, Brain Tumour UK has produced the following briefing on oligo-astrocytoma brain tumours for journalists, following the diagnosis of this tumour in Seve Ballesteros.

Oligo-astrocytoma tumours

Oligo-astrocytoma tumours are mixed glioma tumours, consisting of two tumour types in the glial cells of the brain. An oligodendroglioma component is usually benign (Grade I or II) but is occasionally malignant (Grade III). The astrocytoma component can range from benign to malignant (Grade I to IV).

The prognosis for mixed gliomas is difficult to predict and depends on which component dominates, on its malignancy and many other factors.

Oligodendrogliomas, with appropriate care, can result in a life expectancy of ten or more years.

Approximately 50 per cent of benign astrocytomas become malignant within five years. The most malignant form of astrocytoma is called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Around half of GBM patients survive for more than eleven months. Survival rates are increasing, following the introduction of chemotherapy treatments such as Temozolomide.

Given the inherent complexity of mixed gliomas, it is inappropriate to comment on the prognosis for individual patients.

 

Ballesteros ‘could be in danger’ warns Brain Tumour UK
13 October 2008

Golfing legend Seve Ballesteros could be in grave danger, Brain Tumour UK warned today, following confirmation that he has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after suffering a seizure last Monday (6 October).

Snr Ballesteros is to undergo a biopsy today (14 October). The biopsy is likely to be a two-stage process. First, an inter-operative biopsy will involve viewing some cells from the tumour on a glass slide for immediate confirmation that it is actually a tumour and to give an indication of what type.

Then, a sample of the tissue will be ‘fixed’ - probably in formaldehyde - before being sectioned (thinly sliced) and stained for detailed analysis by a pathologist. It may take up to three days for formal diagnosis to be confirmed, depending on the tumour type.

Adults of Snr Ballesteros' age group and presenting with his initial symptoms are likely to have a primary tumour affecting the temporal or parietal lobe at the front of the brain. It is most likely to be a grade four astrocytoma called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

GBMs account for more than half of all primary tumours in adults and can be extremely aggressive, often growing back within a few weeks of surgery. Glioblastoma patients survive for around 11 months on average, although a small number survive for five and even ten years.

Jenny Baker OBE, chief executive of Brain Tumour UK, lost her 24-year old son Stephen to a GBM in 2004 and says: ‘We remain optimistic for Seve, but he could be in grave danger. Brain tumours are often very unforgiving and the lack of research into this devastating disease means that treatment options are very limited.’

Brain tumours claim an average of 20.1 years of life from a person. This is more Average Years of Life Lost (AYLL) than any other cancer, including leukaemia (13.6 AYLL) and breast cancer (13.5 AYLL) [1]. Yet despite their severity, brain tumours receive just 1.4 per cent of the research funding for cancer in the UK, amounting to just £2.2 million in 2006 from a total cancer site-specific spend of £158.7 million [2].

Notes to editors:

For interviews and further comment, please contact Trevor Lawson, Head of Communications, on 07976 262388.

Brain Tumour UK is supported by experts around the UK. To arrange an interview with an expert, please contact us.

Brain Tumour UK can also provide patients and carers to talk about the impacts of a brain tumour. Contact us to arrange an interview.

 

1. N G Burnet, S J Jefferies, R J Benson, D P Hunt and F P Treasure (2005), Years of life lost (YLL) from cancer is an important measure of population burden and should be considered when allocating research funds, British Journal of Cancer, 92, 241-245.
2. Cancer site spending 2002-2006, Institute of Cancer Research.