Glioblastoma Multiforme
What is a Glioblastoma?
A Glioblastoma is the most common high grade primary brain tumour in adults. Glioblastomas are Grade 4 brain tumours and the most common high grade primary brain tumour in adults. They are:
- Fast growing
- Diffuse - meaning they have threadlike tendrils that extend into other parts of the brain
- Likely to spread within the brain
- May come back, even if intensively treated
- Sometimes called malignant or cancerous.
Glioblastomas are a type of glioma, which is a brain tumour that grows form a glial cell.
What are the symptoms of a Glioblastoma?
Brain tumours may cause effects that can have an impact on your quality of life. They can affect different parts of the brain which control different functions. This means that the effects of a brain tumour you may experience depends on the location, its size and its aggressiveness. Symptoms can include:
- Physical symptoms such as headaches; fatigue; seizures; nausea and dizziness; sight problems; loss of appetite; numbness or weakness in the body and/or face.
- Cognitive symptoms such as confusion; impaired memory; changes in mood, personality and behaviour; changes in ability to think and learn; difficulty with speech, writing, drawing.
How are Glioblastomas treated?
Generally, if you are well enough, neurosurgery will be performed to remove as much of the tumour as possible. Once your wound has healed, you may also receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy or both.
What causes Glioblastomas?
As with most brain tumours, it is not known why glioblastomas start growing. It is important to know that there is nothing you could have done, or avoided doing, that would have caused you or somebody you love to develop a brain tumour.
What is the prognosis for Glioblastoma Multiforme?
Without treatment, survival is approximately 3 months. With treatment, survival time is 12-18 months. 75% of patients survive less than 1 year. 95% of patients survive less than 5 years. Glioblastoma has a final mortality rate of close to 100%.
