Glória Maria dies: understand the complications of the disease that affected the journalist

Journalist and presenter Gloria Maria died this Thursday (2) as a result of a lung cancer with metastasis to the brain. In a note, TV Globo stated that Glória had been undergoing treatment to combat new metastases from the brain tumor.

“In 2019, Glória was diagnosed with lung cancer, successfully treated with immunotherapy, and brain metastasis, treated surgically, initially also successfully”, recalled the broadcaster in a statement. “In the middle of last year, Glória Maria began a new phase of treatment to combat new brain metastases which, unfortunately, stopped working in recent days, and Glória died this morning at the Copa Star Hospital, in the South Zone of Rio”.

Know more: Gloria Maria reveals how she discovered a brain tumor

The health problem was discovered after the journalist felt bad and underwent an MRI. Glória even underwent emergency surgery to remove an “expansive brain lesion”.

Metastatic brain tumor: what is it and what are the complications?

O metastatic brain tumor it reaches the brain as a result of metastasis, “spreading” of a tumor originating in another organ. In Gloria Maria’s case, the lung cancer metastasized to her brain. It is possible that cancer cells have fallen into the bloodstream, settling in the nervous system.

According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), 4% of cancer deaths in Brazil are related to brain tumors. In addition, 25% of tumors that originate elsewhere in the body spread to the brain, causing symptoms such as:

• Headache;

• Nausea and vomiting;

• Convulsion;

• Motor agitation;

• Lack of motor coordination;

• Muscle weakness or stiffness;

• Lack of sensitivity;

• Difficulty speaking;

• Problems with reading and writing;

• Involuntary movements.

The brain tumor can affect several functions of the organism. Depending on which area of ​​the brain is affected, the disease can cause:

• Weakness and paralysis of a body member, such as an arm or leg;

• Impaired ability to feel heat, cold, pressure or cuts;

• Difficulty communicating (both understanding and speaking);

• Increased or decreased breathing;

• Reduced alertness;

• Damage to the senses (smell, touch and hearing).

How are the diagnosis and treatment made?

The diagnosis can be made through neurological examinations and imaging tests, such as electroencephalogram, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, among others. The treatment is done in a multidisciplinary way, involving different medical specialties, such as a neurosurgeon, radiotherapist, oncologist and neurologist.

Read more: Brain tumor: headache and vomiting can be symptoms

Treatment can be surgery, in which the brain tumor is removed without causing damage to normal brain tissue. This procedure is necessary if tumor growth affects important brain structures. In addition, systemic treatment can be done with drugs, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.