Glioblastoma multiforme is considered to be the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor in humans. It is the most malignant form of astrocytomas. An astrocytoma is a glioma that develops from star-shaped glial cells (astrocytes), which are cells that help nerve cells work.
A glioblastoma multiforme is categorized as a grade IV astrocytoma. This condition can develop unexpectedly. It can develop less commonly from a lower grade, less malignant (cancerous) brain tumor. Most cases are sited in the cerebral hemisphere; however the cancer can also start in the spinal cord or brain stem.
In short term, glioblastoma multiforme is referred to as GBM or glioblastoma. It is one of the most common of all brain tumors that are part of brain cancer. These brain tumors are known to affect all age groups. However, these tumors seem to be most widespread in those people who have age more than fifty years of age. In this article, you will find valuable information pertaining to this glioblastoma multiforme. If you suspect any symptoms of this serious condition, consult your doctor immediately as early treatment leads to a more favorable outcome.
Characteristics of Glioblastoma multiforme:
- More common in men than women
- Common among men and women in their 50s-70s
- Accounts for 23 percent of all primary brain tumors
- Most invasive type of glial tumor
- Grows rapidly
- Commonly spreads to nearby tissue
- May have evolved from a low-grade astrocytoma or an oligodendroglioma
- May be composed of several different kinds of cells (i.e., astrocytes, oligodendrocytes)
Causes of Glioblastoma multiforme:
Chromosome defects and specific gene mutations may be the cause of glioblastoma as they lead to uncontrolled growth of certain brain cells. Chromosomal changes can also be caused by some environmental factors such as chemicals and radiation, in addition to as yet unidentified carcinogenic agents. - Inherited gene mutations are also account for a small percentage of glioblastomas. Yet, no connections have been found between glioblastoma and smoking, diet, cellular phones, or electromagnetic fields. Some proof for a viral cause has been discovered, possibly SV40 or cytomegalovirus. Some also consider that there may be a connection between polyvinyl chloride (which is commonly used in construction) and glioblastoma. There is a relationship of brain tumor occurrence and malaria, suggesting that the anopheles mosquito, the carrier of malaria, might transmit a virus or other agent that could cause glioblastoma.
- Other risk factors are:
- Age: over 50 years old
- Sex: male (slightly more common in men than women)
- Ethnicity: Caucasians, Latinos, Asians
- A low-grade astrocytoma (brain tumor), which often, given enough time, develops into a higher-grade tumor
- One of the following genetic disorders is linked with an increased occurrence of gliomas: Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot syndrome
Symptoms of Glioblastoma multiforme:
- Visual loss
- Headache
- Paralysis or sensory loss
- Impaired speech
- Personality change
- Increased pressure inside skull
- Headache frontal lobe tumor
- Vomiting frontal lobe tumor
- Intellectual disability frontal lobe tumor
- Personality changes frontal lobe tumor
- Impaired memory frontal lobe tumor
- Seizures parietal and frontal lobe tumor
- Spatial disorientation parietal lobe tumor
- Loss of positional awareness of body parts parietal lobe tumor
- Poor coordination temporal lobe tumor
- Motor disturbance temporal lobe tumor
- Paresthesia parietal lobe tumor
- Sensory changes parietal lobe tumor
- Lack of emotion frontal lobe tumor
- Convulsions frontal lobe tumor
- Paralysis on one side of body
- Reduced ability to interpret language temporal lobe tumor
- Agraphia parietal lobe tumor
Diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors:
To diagnose a glioblastoma multiforme tumor, many diagnostic tools are used. If patient suffers from any form of mental dysfunction, then it is typical to a neurologist for a complete examination. Additionally, if a patient is identified to be suffering from headaches, starts experiencing seizures, or if there is any doubt about existence of any degree of inflammation around the brain, then the patient will be sent for a neurological examination to verify whether or not he/she is suffering from brain cancer. In addition to this, following diagnostic tools are used to evaluate a patient.
- Vision Exams
- Hearing Exams
- Brain Fluid Exam
- Computed Tomography
- General Physical
- An X-Ray
- Cerebral Angiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan
If you are suffering from the symptoms of a glioblastoma multiforme tumor, it is essential to make sure that you make an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible. It is truth that this is a serious form of brain cancer and at this stage some treatments are available that may prove to be productive to stopping or slowing the overall progression of the illness.
Glioblastoma Multiforme Treatment:
Glioblastoma multiforme treatment depends on the nature of the tumor, how rapidly it is growing, and what symptoms it causing and where it is located. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery can prolong a patient’s life who suffers from this disease.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is the course of drugs which have been shown to increase life expectancy in about a quarter of Glioblastoma multiforme patients. Life expectancy can be increased anywhere from a few months to up to a year.
Radiation Therapy:
In this therapy, radiations are used to decrease the size of a tumor or eliminate it. Main focus of the treatment is doses of radiation. But, the tumor often resurges within a year and worsens brain tissue further.
Drugs:
Some drugs like anti-convulsants and corticosteroids may be administered to improve the patient’s quality of life. Anti-convulsants drugs are given to minimize epileptic seizures and corticosteroids are given to help the overall function of the body.
Brachytherapy:
In brachytherapy, high doses of radiation are injected into the affected area. It is a rarely used method. But, up to 40 percent of patients need surgery to eliminate tissue damaged by the brachytherapy.
Surgery:
By surgery, the affected tissues are eliminated from the body through biopsy. A tumor can not be eliminated from the body but it helps in evaluating the situation for the patient.
