Just this morning, the family of American hero and political icon John McCain announced via a statement he will cease treatment for the aggressive and rare form of brain cancer, glioblastoma.
“John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment.”
What is Glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is a rare type of astrocytoma – a cancer that forms in the brain from star-shaped astrocyte cells. While this cancer usually begins in the cerebrum in adults, glioblastoma tumors are capable of making their own blood supply, which helps them grow. Thus, they are usually highly malignant (cancerous).
Senator McCain has been receiving treatment since July 2017 and as the statement referenced, has surpassed expectations up until now. Typical life expectancy following diagnosis is 12-15 months.
We have covered this story many times on Patient Worthy because not only is Senator McCain’s service to this country worthy of respect, but also because we all know too well the struggles of him and his family as a community of rare patient advocates. To read more about this developing story, click here.
And click here to read our previous articles about Senator McCain.
The family statement in full reads:
“Last summer, Senator John McCain shared with Americans the news our family already knew: he had been diagnosed with an aggressive glioblastoma, and the prognosis was serious. In the year since, John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment. Our family is immensely grateful for the support and kindness of all his caregivers over the last year, and for the continuing outpouring of concern and affection from John’s many friends and associates, and the many thousands of people who are keeping him in their prayers. God bless and thank you all.”
