My step father has a grade 4 glioblastoma

He was diagnose jan. 16. He recently (4 days ago) finished his treatments including removing the first tumor, radiation and chemo. He was told he has 6 more tumors growing. Anyone eles had experiance in this with a family member or friend? What should we expect as far as life span, pain, losses in abilitys?

Glioblastoma multiforme, also called grade IV astrocytoma, is a very agggressive cancer and those who respond best to treatment are under 40 years of age. I'm terribly sorry to hear this about your step-father.

Depending on the size and locations of the tumors, he may experience headaches, may show the same effects as increased intracranial pressure, have seizures, cognitive deficits, personality changes, motor weakness, memory loss, sensory neglect, hydrocephalus and cranial neuropathies and profound depression.

I'm afraid that few survive longer than 3 years and only a handful survive longer 5.

You can best help him by giving him emotional support in the beginning and this may well extend also to physical support over time. Consider hospice when his oncologist deems it appropriate. This is when a patient is considered to have no more than 6 months remaining.