The prognosis for a person with a grade 4 brain tumor depends on the severity of the condition, states the American Brain Tumor Association. Median survival for people with anaplastic astrocytoma is around 2 to 3 years. Adults with a severe grade 4 brain tumor have a median survival of about 14.6 months.
In 2009, a study reported that about 10 percent of grade 4 brain tumor patients survive for 5 years or more, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. Children with grade 4 brain tumors tend to survive longer than adults. Patients who have undergone the process called methylation, or shutting off the MGMT gene, have prolonged survival rates.
The prognosis for grade 4 brain tumor patients tends to be different because not all brain tumors have similar biological abnormalities. This is one of the reasons why the response to treatments among patients varies. As of 2015, scientists continue to research long-term brain tumor survivors to learn how targeted treatments can be used to manage the condition.
Also known as glioblastoma, grade 4 brain tumor is a malignant tumor whereby cells are actively dividing. Some treatments used to manage this condition include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, states WebMD. The aim of treatment is to slow down the growth of the tumor.
