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What is Glioblastoma?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor which is usually fatal, with treatment for this cancer focusing on palliative care rather than attempting to cure the patient. This cancer is a type of astrocytoma, meaning that it arises in cells in the brain known as astrocytes, and it is the most common form of brain tumor. Fortunately, brain tumors in general are very rare, with around two percent of cancers occurring in the brain.

Like other astrocytomas, a glioblastoma begins to form when the genetic information in cells in the brain becomes damaged, causing cells to multiply out of control. In the case of a glioblastoma, the growth consists of an area of necrosis surrounded by poorly differentiated astrocytes. The patient can experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, confusion, difficulty balancing, vision problems, and other neurological issues as the tumor grows.

A medical imaging study may be used to diagnose a glioblastoma brain tumor.
A medical imaging study may be used to diagnose a glioblastoma brain tumor.

Doctors can diagnose a glioblastoma by using a medical imaging study to look at the brain, and biopsying the growth to find out what it is. When a pathologist examines the biopsy specimen, he or she can determine which kinds of cells are involved, and how aggressive the cancer appears to be. Glioblastomas are also known as Grade IV astrocytomas, referencing the type of cells in which the cancer originates, and the fact that these tumors are very aggressive.

On average, patients who are diagnosed with glioblastoma live less than one year.
On average, patients who are diagnosed with glioblastoma live less than one year.

A glioblastoma will not usually metastasize to other areas of the body, making management for the tumor primarily focused on keeping it from growing, and keeping the patient comfortable. Surgery may be recommended to remove as much of the tumor as possible, and chemotherapy and radiation can extend the patient's life, and make him or her more comfortable. New treatments are constantly being developed for conditions like glioblastoma, improving the prognosis and extending lifespan.

Chemotherapy and radiation can help to extend a glioblastoma patient's life.
Chemotherapy and radiation can help to extend a glioblastoma patient's life.

Men are most likely to develop this cancer, and it usually occurs in people over 50. There appear to be some genetic components to this cancer, and it may also be linked with environmental exposure to radiation. When diagnosed with a glioblastoma, patients should ask their doctors for honest opinions about the prognosis, and they may want to talk about end of life care so that they can make decisions about their care while they are still highly functional. It is also critical to talk to loved ones about specific wishes for care and treatment, and patients may want to consider creating a healthcare proxy, someone who will make sure that their wishes are carried out in the event that they are unable to communicate.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

sunnySkys

@KaBoom - That's always a concern with terminal illnesses. At what point do you stop invasive treatments and let the illness take its course? I think the article makes a good recommendation when it suggest patients discuss this with their loved ones when they are first diagnosed, rather than waiting until they are extremely sick.

It also sounds like hospice care could help in the case of someone who has a glioblastoma brain tumor. Hospice care focuses on making patients comfortable rather than on curing their disease.

KaBoom

I'm slightly relieved that only 2% of cancers occur in the brain. If you watch medical shows on television, you would think that brain tumors occur as frequently as the common cold!

This must mean that glioblastoma brain cancer isn't very common at all, because it's just one kind of brain cancer. Still, it sounds like one of the most aggressive types of cancers since it isn't very treatable. I think in cases like this, patients have to balance how much the treatment is going to extend their life versus what their quality of life will be like after they undergo treatment.

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    • A medical imaging study may be used to diagnose a glioblastoma brain tumor.
      By: Mikhail Basov
      A medical imaging study may be used to diagnose a glioblastoma brain tumor.
    • On average, patients who are diagnosed with glioblastoma live less than one year.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      On average, patients who are diagnosed with glioblastoma live less than one year.
    • Chemotherapy and radiation can help to extend a glioblastoma patient's life.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Chemotherapy and radiation can help to extend a glioblastoma patient's life.
    • Treating glioblastoma usually focuses on palliative care, rather than attempting to cure the condition.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Treating glioblastoma usually focuses on palliative care, rather than attempting to cure the condition.
    • A biopsy may be performed in order to determine the type of cells that are involved in a glioblastoma.
      By: nandyphotos
      A biopsy may be performed in order to determine the type of cells that are involved in a glioblastoma.
    • A patient with a glioblastoma may experience dizziness, confusion, and other neurological issues as the tumor grows.
      By: salagatoxic
      A patient with a glioblastoma may experience dizziness, confusion, and other neurological issues as the tumor grows.
    • A glioblastoma will not usually metastasize to other areas of the body, making management for the tumor primarily focused on keeping it from growing.
      By: joshya
      A glioblastoma will not usually metastasize to other areas of the body, making management for the tumor primarily focused on keeping it from growing.
    • Vision problems are a possible symptom of glioblastoma.
      By: pathdoc
      Vision problems are a possible symptom of glioblastoma.