Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell says she is still struggling with the symptoms that led to her devastating brain tumor diagnosis in 2022.
Burrell, a ceramics expert from Edinburgh, was just adjusting to life as a new mother when she received the shock diagnosis after suffering a series of unbearable headaches coupled with overwhelming exhaustion.
She was given a life expectancy of two years after medics discovered an aggressive fourth-degree glioblastoma – she was originally dismissed by her GP because of balancing motherhood and a busy work schedule.
Despite months of grueling treatment to shrink the tumor to just ten percent of its original size, the 36-year-old TV personality was told her cancer would return.
On Wednesday, Burrell admitted on Instagram that she was still struggling with many of her early symptoms, fueling fears of possible regrowth.
Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has told Instagram followers that she is still struggling with the symptoms that led to her devastating brain tumor diagnosis in 2022
Burrell was given a life expectancy of two years after doctors discovered an aggressive fourth-degree glioblastoma
What is a Glioblastoma?
Glioblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in adults.
They grow quickly and are likely to spread.
The cause of glioblastoma is unknown, but may be related to the sufferer's genes when mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and form a tumor.
Treatment usually consists of surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by a combination of radiation and chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).
It can be difficult to remove all of the growth because glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other regions of the brain. These are specifically addressed using radiochemotherapy.
Glioblastomas are often resistant to therapy because they usually consist of different cell types. Therefore, drugs kill some cells but not others.
The average survival time is between 12 and 18 months.
Source: The Brain Tumor Charity
Alongside a photo of Pip, her pet Jack Russell, she wrote: “My recent travels are definitely catching up with me – don't let my photos fool you, the fatigue, the headaches, the nausea, the dizziness are all still there.” and when I'm tired, these symptoms/side effects are clearly noticeable.
“I spend many hours worrying about each and every one of these problems because, let’s face it, when you have cancer, you’re always thinking about regrowth.”
“So if you know these feelings and live with this fear, just know that you are not alone. “And it's not always a sign of something scary, sometimes you're just completely exhausted and carrying a lot on your shoulders.”
In a speech in 2023, Burrell admitted that she had difficulty coping with the abrupt transition that came with her cancer diagnosis.
“Suddenly I had gone from being a healthy person in the middle of my life with a newborn to having terminal cancer with maybe a year or two left to live,” she said.
“Although I continue to make the most of each day, my tumor will come back and kill me.” My care has been excellent and new advances in science have helped me so far.
“However, the only way we can get closer to a life-saving cure is by funding brain tumor research.”
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor diagnosed in adults. It develops from glial cells found in the brain and spinal cord. No cause is known.
Her first appearance on the BBC show Antiques Roadshow came in 2018 and is a fan-favorite character
Burrell, from Edinburgh, was just adjusting to life as a new mother when she received the shock diagnosis
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much tumor as possible without damaging healthy tissue; followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Glioblastomas always grow back.
In the UK, 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumor every year, with only 12 per cent surviving longer than five years, compared to an average of 54 per cent for all cancers.
Burrell graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in History and then an MLitt in Decorative Arts.
The antiques expert has worked at Edinburgh-based Lyon & Turnbull since 2011, although her career at the auction houses began as a teenager, where she spent summers working as a viewing associate.
She specializes in European ceramics and glass, fine furniture and decorative art from the 1860s, tribal art and taxidermy.
Her first appearance on Antiques Roadshow was in 2018. She previously described her “dream find” as a “beautiful and rare” 16th-century maiolica dish by Italian ceramist Francesco Xanto Avelli.