When a spouse suddenly becomes more grumpy, we often think about temper, stress or age. This is exactly what Jean Gurrey, 69, believed when faced with his companion Mark Gurrey, 70, whose mood gradually darkened. This Englishman, a passionate golfer, grumbled in a good-natured way. Except that what looked like a simple bad mood was actually hiding a
brain tumor formidable. There remains this question that haunts his partner: when should these personality changes cause alarm?
From “bon vivant” to grumpy: Mark’s personality change
Looking back, his partner remembers the little things first. “Looking back, I realize the signs were there, but they were so subtle. His good-natured complaints became an integral part of the family humor, and we all enjoyed it together“, she says, in a testimony relayed by the Mirror. Then her husband’s remarks became more acidic, more frequent, less funny. He criticized more, got angry over details, as if he was no longer quite himself.
At the same time, his companion describes strange sensations. “Mark mentioned hearing music in his head. This happened in brief bursts, maybe two or three times a week“, says his partner. He never manages to recognize the tune, sometimes it’s a voice lasting a few seconds, and he assures that it doesn’t bother him. When mini-seizures occur, a scan is carried out: it shows a brain tumor. In January 2023, the diagnosis of
glioblastoma falls, followed by surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy which exhaust him.
Brain tumor: when irritability betrays a glioblastoma
THE glioblastoma develops from glial cells of the central nervous system. It is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults, with around 3,500 new cases per year in France, mainly in men in their sixties. Its symptoms vary depending on the affected area: persistent headaches, nausea, epileptic seizures, speech or vision problems. When the tumor affects the frontal lobes, it can cause real personality change : irritability, aggressiveness, disinhibition or on the contrary apathy and withdrawal.
For Dr Gérald Kierzek, this is where the error may lie. “Glioblastoma may initially be confused with depression due to psychological symptoms such as fatigue, memory problems and behavioral changes.” However, a CT scan or a brain MRI are the reference examinations for its detection, revealing a mass.
“This tumor is not inherently difficult to visualize on MRI once suspected, as imaging provides precise images of its size, shape and location. However, subtle and nonspecific early symptoms often delay clinical suspicion, favoring errors such as a depressive diagnosis without initial imaging.”
With Mark Gurrey, the unusual outbursts of anger, the mini-crises and this non-existent music worry those around him more. After the surgery and treatments, the doctors told him that the tumor had shrunk. But a few weeks later, it all starts again. “Just a month after learning that treatment had shrunk Mark’s tumor and his personality had returned closer to his old self, his symptoms began again.“, remembers his companion. She adds: “I know many people develop a brain tumor and live with it for years, but the unrelenting nature of the particular type of tumor Mark has is devastating. She sneaks like an assassin in the night and takes no prisoners“. Jean died in February 2024, a little over a year after diagnosis.
Glioblastoma: signs to watch for and treatment options
For those around you, identify such a person early behavior change durable remains crucial, in order to quickly obtain an MRI and specialized care. “Better understanding and awareness of this disease, even its most subtle warning signs, is essential. By investing more in research, we can find gentler treatments that will prolong lives and give hope to families“, says Jean Gurrey.
Glioblastoma remains a terrible diagnosis today, but several avenues of research could in the future transform the destiny of thousands of doomed patients.