Glioblastoma (NORD)

Summary

Glioblastoma is a rare, aggressive brain tumor that originates from astrocytes, often affecting the cerebral hemisphere. It can cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, seizures, and neurologic abnormalities depending on its location. Diagnosed through MRI and biopsy, treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and electric field therapy, aiming to slow tumor growth and manage symptoms. While the prognosis is generally poor, treatments can improve quality of life and prolong survival. Risk factors include prior brain radiation, certain industrial exposures, and age, with the disease being most common in individuals between 45 and 70 years old.

Takeaways

• 😀 Glioblastoma is a rare, aggressive brain tumor that originates from astrocytes, a type of helper nerve cell.
• 😀 It is classified as a grade IV astrocytoma and typically grows quickly, affecting the brain or spinal cord.
• 😀 Glioblastomas are thought to be caused by genetic mutations that lead to uncontrollable cell replication and tumor growth.
• 😀 The tumor usually spreads rapidly, invading nearby brain tissue, and often affects the cerebral hemisphere responsible for complex cognitive functions.
• 😀 Risk factors for glioblastoma may include prior brain radiation treatments, working with synthetic rubber, or exposure to harmful chemicals like vinyl chloride and pesticides.
• 😀 Glioblastomas most commonly affect individuals aged 45 to 70, with symptoms including headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures.
• 😀 Neurologic symptoms vary depending on the tumor's location, such as muscle weakness, numbness, personality changes, or difficulty speaking.
• 😀 An MRI is typically the first test used to identify glioblastomas, followed by a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
• 😀 Treatment options include surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and alternating electric fields therapy.
• 😀 Common chemotherapy drugs used for glioblastoma include temozolomide, bevacizumab, and carmustine implants.
• 😀 Alternative treatments such as electric fields therapy prevent cancer cells from multiplying, and oral medications may help manage symptoms like brain swelling, seizures, and nausea.

Q & A

What is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)?

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare, aggressive brain tumor that grows from helper nerve cells called astrocytes. It is classified as a grade IV astrocytoma and is known for its rapid growth and ability to spread quickly in the brain and spinal cord.

What are the common risk factors for developing glioblastoma?

Risk factors for glioblastoma may include previous radiation treatments to the brain, a history of working in synthetic rubber manufacturing or petroleum refining, and exposure to vinyl chloride or pesticides. However, most individuals exposed to these factors do not develop glioblastoma.

What are the common symptoms of glioblastoma?

Symptoms of glioblastoma include headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and neurological abnormalities, which may vary depending on the tumor's size and location. For example, tumor involvement in the motor cortex can cause muscle weakness, while involvement in the sensory cortex can cause numbness.

How is glioblastoma diagnosed?

Glioblastoma is usually diagnosed through MRI scans, which can show a mass invading surrounding brain tissue. A biopsy, guided by CT scan or MRI, is required for confirmation. The tissue sample is examined under a microscope, and further testing can identify tumor markers to guide treatment decisions.

What are the main treatment options for glioblastoma?

Treatment options for glioblastoma include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, alternating electric fields therapy, and medications to manage symptoms. Surgery aims to remove as much of the tumor as possible, while radiation and chemotherapy help target remaining cancer cells.

What role does surgery play in treating glioblastoma?

Surgery is performed to remove as much of the glioblastoma as possible while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue. This helps to reduce the tumor's size and alleviate symptoms, but it is often not possible to remove the entire tumor due to its invasive nature.

How does radiation therapy help in glioblastoma treatment?

Radiation therapy is used to destroy tumor cells that could not be removed during surgery. However, because radiation also damages healthy cells, it cannot be used for prolonged periods.

What chemotherapy medications are commonly used for glioblastoma?

The most commonly used chemotherapy medications for glioblastoma include temozolomide, which damages cancer cell DNA; bevacizumab, which reduces the blood supply to the tumor; and carmustine implants, which deliver targeted treatment directly to the tumor site.

What is alternating electric fields therapy, and how does it work?

Alternating electric fields therapy uses mild electrical fields that alternate back and forth. Applied via electrodes to the scalp, it prevents cancer cells in the brain from multiplying, slowing tumor growth. It is typically used alongside chemotherapy but not during radiation therapy.

What medications are used to manage symptoms during glioblastoma treatment?

To manage symptoms, steroids may be used to reduce brain swelling, while anti-seizure medications help prevent or reduce seizures. Additional medications may be prescribed to control nausea, vomiting, and other side effects of treatment.

What is the prognosis for individuals with glioblastoma?

The prognosis for glioblastoma is generally poor, with low long-term survival rates. However, treatments are available that can prolong survival and improve the quality of life, even if they do not cure the disease.