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Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell says she still struggles with the symptoms that led to her devastating brain tumour diagnosis in 2022. 

Burrell, an Edinburgh based ceramics expert, was adapting to life as a new mother when she received the shock diagnosis after suffering with a series of excruciating headaches, coupled with overwhelming exhaustion.

She was given a two-year life expectancy after medics discovered an aggressive grade four glioblastoma – originally dismissed by her GP as the result of juggling motherhood with a busy work schedule. 

Despite months of gruelling treatment to shrink the tumour down to just ten percent of its original size the TV personality, 36, has been told her cancer will return. 

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Burrell admitted she was still struggling with many of her early symptoms, promoting fears of a potential regrowth. 

Antiques Roadshow expert Theo Burrell has told Instagram followers that she still struggles with the symptoms that led to her devastating brain tumour diagnosis in 2022

Burrell was given a two-year life expectancy after medics discovered an aggressive grade four glioblastoma

WHAT IS A GLIOBLASTOMA?

Glioblastomas are the most common cancerous brain tumours in adults.

They are fast growing and likely to spread. 

Glioblastomas’ cause is unknown but may be related to a sufferer’s genes if mutations result in cells growing uncontrollably, forming a tumour.

Treatment is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by a combination of radio- and chemotherapy (chemoradiation).

It can be difficult to remove all of the growth as glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other regions of the brain. These are targeted via chemoradiation. 

Glioblastomas are often resistant to treatment as they are usually made up of different types of cells. Therefore, medication will kill off some cells and not others. 

The average survival time is between 12 and 18 months.

Source: The Brain Tumour Charity

Captioning a photo of Pip, her pet Jack Russell, she wrote: ‘So my recent trips away are definitely catching up with me – do not 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 really make themselves known. 

‘I spend many hours worrying about each and every one of these issues because let’s face it, when you’ve got cancer, regrowth is always on your mind. 

‘So if you know these feelings and live with this fear, just know, you’re not alone. And it’s not always a sign of something sinister, sometimes you’re just absolutely exhausted and carrying a lot on your shoulders.’ 

Speaking in 2023, Burrell admitted she struggled to cope with the abrupt transition that came with her cancer diagnosis. 

‘Suddenly I’d gone from being a healthy person in the middle of my life with a new baby to having incurable cancer with maybe one or two years left to live,’ she said. 

‘Although I continue to make the best of each day, my tumour will return and it will kill me. My care has been excellent and new advances in science have helped me so far.

‘However, only by funding research into brain cancer can we get closer to a life-saving cure.’

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, malignant brain tumour diagnosed in adults. It develops from glial cells, which are found in the brain and spinal cord. There is no known cause.

Her first appearance on BBC show Antiques Roadshow came in 2018 and is a popular figure among fans 

Burrell, from Edinburgh, was adapting to life as a new mother when she received the shock diagnosis

Treatment usually involves surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging healthy tissue; followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Glioblastomas always grow back.

In the UK every year, 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour, with just 12 per cent surviving beyond five years, compared with an average of 54 per cent across 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 been working at Edinburgh based Lyon & Turnbull since 2011, although her career at the auctioneers began in her teens where she spent summers working as a viewing staff member. 

She specialises in European ceramics and glass, fine furniture and works of decorative art from 1860, tribal art and taxidermy.

Her first appearance on Antiques Roadshow came in 2018. She previously described her ‘dream find’ as a ‘beautiful and rare’ 16th century maiolica dish by Italian ceramist Francesco Xanto Avelli.

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