In memory
Remembering John McCain and Understanding Glioblastoma
Senator John McCain lived openly with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Here's what this diagnosis means, explained in plain language.
Please note: this page is educational only — it is not medical advice, and it does not speculate about anyone’s health beyond reliable public reporting. For questions about your own health, talk with your healthcare team.
On screen
In July 2017, Senator John McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, after doctors examined tissue removed during a procedure at the Mayo Clinic. He continued to serve and to speak publicly during his treatment. McCain died on August 25, 2018, a little over a year after his diagnosis and just days before his 82nd birthday. His family shared that he had chosen to stop treatment. He is remembered for his decades of public service and for facing his illness openly.
The reality
The National Cancer Institute explains that brain and spinal cord tumors — also called central nervous system, or CNS, tumors — can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). These tumors are named for the type of cell in which they form and where they first develop in the central nervous system. Glioblastoma is a malignant type of brain tumor that grows in the tissue of the brain. Because the brain controls so much of how the body works, tumors there can affect people in many different ways.
What the story gets right — and what to remember
McCain's experience shows both the seriousness of glioblastoma and the very human way people choose to live with it. But no two people's situations are the same. Treatment options, how a tumor responds, and personal choices differ from one person to the next. His story is a window into one man's journey — not a prediction of anyone else's, and not medical advice.
Awareness, screening & prevention
NCI states plainly that it does not have evidence-based information about how to prevent brain tumors, and it does not have evidence-based information about screening for them. This is an honest limit worth knowing: unlike some cancers, brain tumors do not have a recommended routine screening test for the general public. If new or unusual symptoms appear, they are best discussed with a healthcare professional who can decide whether further evaluation is needed.
Turning a story into something useful
Senator McCain's openness helped many people put a name to a cancer they had never heard of. Learning what glioblastoma is — and understanding that research continues to search for better treatments — is a meaningful way to honor his story. Sharing accurate information, supporting those affected, and backing free cancer education all help turn remembrance into something useful for others.
Questions to ask a healthcare team
- What kind of brain tumor is this, and where is it located?
- What are the goals of treatment in this situation?
- How might this tumor affect day-to-day abilities, and what support is available?
- Are there clinical trials or specialists who focus on this type of tumor?