by What is GBM?
Glioblastoma, also referred to as GBM multiforme or GBM, is a type of fast-growing brain tumor that develops from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain. It is the most aggressive and common type of primary brain tumor diagnosed in adults. GBMs are Grade IV astrocytomas, which means they are the most severe grade of astrocytoma. They are distinctly different from lower grade diffuse astrocytomas or oligodendrogliomas.
Symptoms of GBM
The symptoms of GBM can vary depending on the part of the brain affected by the tumor. Common symptoms include severe persistent headaches, nausea or vomiting, memory loss, changes in mood or personality, difficulty with speech or vision, and seizures. As the tumor grows, it can put pressure on the surrounding brain areas and damage them. This is why symptoms tend to worsen over time or come and go depending on where the tumor is placing pressure. It’s important to see a doctor if experiencing any significant neurological changes.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of GBMs is unknown, but some risk factors have been identified. Exposure to ionizing radiation is a known risk factor, especially for tumors occurring 10 or more years after radiation treatment to the head or neck area. People with certain genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis type 1 have a higher risk. Advancing age is also a risk factor, with the average GBM patient being 64 years old at diagnosis. Men are slightly more likely to develop GBM than women.
Diagnosis and Testing
If neurological symptoms indicate a possible brain tumor, the diagnosis involves a neurological exam by a doctor and various medical imaging tests. The most common initial tests are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scans. These can reveal the location, size, and characteristics of the mass. A biopsy is then needed for a definitive diagnosis by examining brain tissue samples under a microscope. Genetic testing of tumor samples may also help classify it and guide treatment decisions. A diagnosis of GBM is made based on the WHO (World Health Organization) classification system.
Treatment Options and Challenges
Due to the aggressive nature and location of Glioblastoma, complete surgical removal is usually not possible. Even with maximum safe surgical resection, microscopic tumor cells will remain. The current standard of care involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Following surgery, radiation plus chemotherapy with temozolomide has been shown to improve outcomes. However, GBMs are prone to recurrence due to infiltrative growth patterns. Additional adjuvant chemotherapy may be used for recurrent disease. Challenges with GBM treatment include the inability to completely remove it surgically, its diffuse invasion into normal brain tissue, resistance to therapies, and inability to cross the blood-brain barrier with many drugs. New treatment approaches are focusing on immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and gene therapies.
Prognosis and Expected Outcomes
Unfortunately, GBMs have a very poor prognosis with an average overall survival of 12-15 months even with aggressive multimodal treatment. Just over 50% of people will live 1 year after diagnosis, less than 20% will live 2 years, and less than 10% will live 5 years. Outcomes vary based on several factors like age at diagnosis, performance status, and tumor characteristics. Younger and healthier patients tend to have better prognoses. Recurrence is also inevitable in the vast majority of cases due to the infiltrative nature. Development of recurrent or progressive disease shortens survival time significantly. Active research is ongoing to identify biomarkers and develop more effective treatments to improve outcomes.
Survivor Stories and Living with Glioblastoma
Despite the statistics, there have been examples of long-term GBM survivors who defy the odds. Some attributes seen in survivors include outstanding overall health going into treatment, genetics possibly playing a role, a highly committed attitude, and access to top medical experts and clinical trials. While recurrence is still likely, many organizations now provide emotional and practical support for living as actively as possible while managing the disease. Survivor communities help connect patients with advice and encouragement. With multidisciplinary care, focusing on quality of life alongside treatment can help patients make the most of the time they have. There is hope that with steady progress in research, more people may transition to becoming long-term GBM survivors in the future.
Future Outlook and Research Directions
Glioblastoma remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat due to its complex biology and location. However, advances are being made through ongoing scientific investigations. Researchers are working on several exciting new treatment approaches like brain tumor vaccines, targeted therapies attack cancer genes and pathways, advanced drug delivery methods to breach the blood-brain barrier, immunotherapy using a patient’s immune system, gene therapies altering tumor DNA, alternating electric fields interfering with cell division, and MRI-guided focused ultrasound. Combination trials blending existing standards with novel agents are ongoing. Identification of biomarkers for subclassifying tumors and monitoring recurrence could lead to personalized medicine approaches. With more collaboration worldwide and continued funding support, it’s hoped that upcoming discoveries may finally crack the code on GBM and transform outcomes for patients. Until then, participation in clinical trials remains key to making progress.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Money Singh
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. LinkedIn Profile
