Glioblastoma is a malignant tumor that affects the brain or spinal cord. It typically causes symptoms such as severe headaches, vomiting, or seizures.
Although rare, this cancer is the most common malignant tumor originating within the brain itself. It appears most frequently in adults over the age of 45 and has a high capacity to infiltrate and grow throughout brain tissue.
Treatment is managed by an oncologist or neuro-oncologist. Care plans generally involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of glioblastoma are:
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Headaches
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Loss of strength or changes in gait (walking)
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Vision or speech problems
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Cognitive difficulties, such as trouble with reasoning or attention
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Personality changes, such as apathy or social withdrawal
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Vomiting
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Seizures
Glioblastoma symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on the tumor's size and location in the brain.
As the disease reaches advanced or terminal stages, symptoms may intensify, compromising the ability to perform daily activities and self-care.
Confirming a diagnosis
A neurologist or general practitioner diagnoses glioblastoma by evaluating symptoms, health history, and conducting neurological, imaging, and laboratory exams.
Physicians order tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the tumor and determine its size and location. However, a definitive diagnosis is confirmed through a tumor biopsy.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient is referred to an oncologist or neuro-oncologist to begin treatment.
Grade of glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is classified as grade IV because it grows rapidly and is considered aggressive due to its ability to infiltrate and spread throughout brain tissue.
Most often, this type of tumor arises directly in the brain tissue, but it can also result from the transformation of lower-grade tumors, such as grade II or III astrocytomas.
Possible causes
Glioblastoma is associated with prior exposure to ionizing radiation, which causes glial cells, cells that support brain composition and neuronal function, to multiply uncontrollably.
This type of brain cancer belongs to the glioma group and is an aggressive tumor capable of spreading through brain tissue.
Treatment options
Treatment for glioblastoma must be guided by an oncologist or neuro-oncologist and should begin as early as possible after diagnosis.
The main treatments for glioblastoma include:
1. Surgery
Surgery for glioblastoma involves removing all visible tumor mass identified in imaging exams while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Generally, surgery is the first step in the treatment plan.
2. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to attempt to eliminate any tumor cells remaining in the brain after surgery.
3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often administered in conjunction with radiation therapy to improve its effectiveness.
The most common chemotherapy drug for glioblastoma is temozolomide, which can delay disease progression.
Additionally, researchers are actively developing new medications to improve glioblastoma treatment, such as gene therapy, immunotherapy, and molecular therapies, aiming to better target the tumor and aid recovery.
4. Supportive therapy
Supportive therapy involves using medications, such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants, to alleviate specific symptoms of the disease.
Treatment decisions for glioblastoma should be individualized, considering the patient's clinical condition and prior treatments, with priority always given to quality of life.
Is there a cure for glioblastoma?
Due to its aggressive nature and rapid growth, achieving a complete cure for this cancer is difficult; in most cases, the tumor recurs (returns), which significantly challenges the chances of a cure.
Is it possible to survive glioblastoma?
The average survival rate for glioblastoma is approximately 14 months, though this is not a rule and varies based on the tumor's severity, size, and location, as well as the patient's overall health.