Glioblastoma Effects

A glioblastoma multiforme is a common tumor of the glial cells, which are found in the spinal cord and brain. It's an extremely aggressive, fast-growing tumor that almost always is fatal within five years.

Symptoms

• The most common initial symptom of a glioblastoma is a headache, which occurs in more than 30 percent of patients. A seizure is the first symptom in 20 to 30 percent of patients.

Risk Factors

• Glioblastomas have an association with radiation therapy, and they are also more likely in patients over age 50. Genetic disorders such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot's syndrome and Von Hippel-Lindau disease also make glioblastomas more likely.

Diagnosis

• Glioblastomas are diagnosed with a variety of imaging scans. These can include computed tomography (CT), magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

Treatment

• The treatment for glioblastoma typically consists of multiple approaches, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. The primary goal of treatment is usually to increase the quality of life and survival time rather than completely eliminating the tumor.

Future Considerations

• Genetic analysis is one of the most promising tools for treating glioblastomas. This technique will be helpful in determining the best therapies for a particular individual.