You are probably here because you wish to know what glioblastoma multiforme is. Hid within this horrid mouthful of a name lies a brain tumor — a type of disease where the cells in the body become bad, replicate to rapidly an earlier than necessary, and harm the body. It is a brain cancer. It is found in the white matter of the brain. This is neocortex territory, an area where we usually expect to find neurons kept company by their glial cell support staff. These are the cells that follow the carcinogenic pathway to become a malignant neoplasm. However, this type of cancer is one of the ones with rapid progression and is treatment-resistant. However, the more benign this disease is, the better the prognosis. Learn more about cancers like glioblastoma.
Unfortunately, scientists still cannot tell us the answer to that question, which is exactly what causes brain tumours such as glioblastoma. Many different causes may lead to this, but the variation and complexity of the tumour make it tricky. Research in this area is challenging because gaining access to such deep structures of the brain is very difficult.
Scientists are still seeking fresh glioblastoma knowledge, so we will have to keep our fingers crossed. We already know things that can help exclude some causes and point to some that are likely. While many cancers can be cause by lifestyle choices, factors such as smoking or an unhealthy diet cannot contribute to glioblastoma.
Experts claim that ionizing radiation at elevated levels greatly affects the odds of developing this cancer. They found that glioblastoma was more prevalent among people who had had many radiotherapy treatment sessions. The incidence rate is as high as 17%. Besides patients, employees, primarily its radiology technicians and radiologists, are also at risk. They are exposed to such radiation during examinations.
Another theory links glioma to Alzheimer's disease. Specific biochemical changes are associated with Alzheimer's disease. The disease process involves the gradual loss of nerve cells and other damaging processes, which results in greater susceptibility to inflammation in the brain. This, in turn, could also trigger the activation of glial cells, which eventually become malignant and make glioblastoma multiforme.
Because glioblastoma arises from deep within the brain, it has brain tumor cells on all nearby edges. A tumour can form if something goes wrong with this tissue. It also interacts with the ambient brain tissue, which helps to disseminate and grow in the adjacent brain structures.
Many scientists also point out the genetic aspect of the development of brain tumours. Mutations alter the function of genes that control cell growth and division. Genes, then, may be responsible for the formation of glioblastoma multiforme. Such a tumour has been reported in hereditary cases with associated mutations.
Detecting the earliest signs of a tumour in the upswing of its growth could lead to swifter treatment. This is especially the case in glioblastoma, which refers to brain tumours that are very aggressively spreading and, sadly, have a bad prognosis. The early stages can present with surprisingly subtle symptoms, too. That said, people should still be cautious and get tested by a physician if they have symptoms.
Glioblastoma leads to symptoms that differ depending on the region in which the cancer is located. This brain tumour can either be benign or malignant, and its size is also crucial. Most symptoms are neurological problems; these symptoms also progress over time. In addition, some signs of glioblastoma can be similar to other diseases.
Unfortunately, the earliest symptoms of this deadly disease are nonspecific. Also, patients belittle their condition when symptoms are mild, delaying the diagnosis. That is why it is essential to have regular check-ups, as this gives a doctor a greater chance of noticing something significant. This way, you can be more attentive to what the first symptoms of glioblastoma may be.
For example, multiple or recurrent migraines can be the first indication that a patient has a glioma. This is due to the higher intracranial pressure caused by the tumour. Consequently, headaches of varying levels of intensity can develop. The pain typically intensifies when lying down, hence the difficulties many patients face with getting to sleep. Additionally, nausea (sometimes resulting in vomiting) may occur along with headaches. Everyone suffers from headaches occasionally, but if they happen all the time, then it's better to go to the doctor since it could be a brain tumour.
At first, fatigue in brain tumor patients with glioblastoma may not necessarily affect their quality of life, but this progresses over time. That is because the formation of brain tumors disturbs energy and rest regulation. In addition, the cancer itself can create inflammation and edema of the brain, further taxing the body. So, if you have been feeling inexplicably fatigued for a while, perhaps it might be good to check it out?
The cancer affects a multitude of functions in the brain, one of those being motor functions. In the beginning, these disorders are subdued. Patients can feel their limbs trembling or any other weird feeling in their body. They additionally experience muscle weakness and prickling. These vague symptoms usually develop abruptly and persist for several minutes or longer. In these cases, you should consult a doctor, as it can be an indication of either a stroke or brain cancer.
Because this cancer takes up space in the brain, it interferes with how the brain works. And this makes it increasingly hard for the brain to work. The first symptoms also include difficulty concentrating. During mental work, patients have problems staying focused and feel drowsy. Another significant indicator is frequent mood swings and atypical irritability. Eventually, patients may find it harder to perceive their surroundings and be confused.
Whether eye problems will accompany the symptoms mentioned above is also worth noting. A key symptom to identify through its gradual manifestation is vision impairment. Such symptoms are easier to spot if the patient previously had good, healthy vision. A distinguishing sign is the inability to see well (blurred vision), which impairs the ability to perceive the details of surroundings. Patients might also have double vision. Particularly bothersome is the quick loss of vision in one eye.
Symptoms associated with brain glioblastoma typically appear over time. The tumour spreading to other brain parts leads to more serious health issues. More disabling neurological disorders appear as the disease advances, culminating in severe impairment and possible death of the patient. Furthermore, delayed symptoms suggest a worse prognosis, given that treatment is more complicated and metastasis is also possible. However, glioblastoma mainly involves only the brain, and metastasis spread to other parts of the body is uncommon.
Glioblastoma is a type of tumour that disrupts cognitive function in patients. At first, these are minor concentration issues and lower levels of alertness. But as the disease advances, all of these disorders become exacerbated. Patients may be unable to respond to stimuli and/or become disconnected from their environment. Temporal and spatial disorientation also exists, which means that the patient has difficulty accessing time (what day or year it is, etc.) and space (the patient does not recognize surroundings or people). In the end, this progressive disorder can lead to a coma.
Brain tumours also cause some sort of motor disorder. Alongside the tremor and muscle weakness, painful muscle spasms, unclear movement coordination, and slowed reaction develop as time passes. Balance problems can make it difficult for the patient to move. During the advanced phase of the disease, these disorders intensify, and patients are left partially paralyzed or totally immobilized. This is why patients with this type of cancer in the advanced stage require special care.
Speech problems also occur in the later stages of glioma. As the condition progresses, patients often struggle to complete a sentence. They sometimes cannot be understood by listeners. The specific speech disorders depend on the incursion of the tumor into the speech centres in the brain. Patients may also have a hard time processing what is said to them and lose the ability to read and write. Therefore, those who have a more advanced type, such as brain glioblastoma, can often be harder to communicate with. When it grows, speech is lost completely due to the tumour.
As the cancer advances, the eyesight difficulties increase, even leading to complete blindness. This occurs when the tumor is located in brain areas related to vision, like the occipital lobe/ optic pathways. Such cancer can press and destroy the structures involved in vision. Visual impairment or loss of vision may be permanent, even if the disease is overcome, if severe damage occurs.
Patients with glioblastoma also often suffer from seizures throughout their treatment. Epilepsy is primarily due to the alteration of the brain architecture by the tumour. This form of the disease has a much higher level of malignity, with the tumour damaging surrounding nerve cells that become unusually active, causing seizures.
Due to the subtle symptoms of the disease and the rapid growth of the tumour, glioblastoma is usually not diagnosed in an early stage. However, when the changes cancer causes are less widespread and do not produce devastating neurological symptoms, it is far more challenging, though not impossible, to detect. Imaging tests can diagnose this kind of cancer.
When it comes to diagnosing brain tumours, doctors typically use an MRI scan. And with the ability of magnetic fields to penetrate the human body, doctors can observe any marked deviations in the brain. Because the tumour is apparent, a quick diagnosis can be made, and the curing process can be initiated. Plus, it is one of the field's highest-sensitivity and most specific tests.
At times, medical professionals opt for the method of computed tomography. The scans also display the tumour in question from this test. Computed tomography is typically less sensitive than magnetic resonance imaging in brain glioblastoma evaluation. But is indicated in some circumstances. There may be no access to MRI in certain hospitals or areas. Additionally, some people have specific devices, metal parts, or implants in their bodies that have the risk of responding to magnetic forces in an unsafe manner. CT is then the best option in such situations.
The use of positron emission tomography for glioblastoma diagnosis is growing. PET is especially valuable in delineating tumour margins and in treatment planning, e.g., radiotherapy. This leads to a better characterization of the stage of disease and a more personalized therapy fit per patient.
Doctors may choose to perform a biopsy while seeking a diagnosis. The results of this test help determine how malignant and aggressive the tumour is. It is critical information needed to determine treatment. Yet, this is an invasive test that requires neurosurgery. Either a piece of tissue is removed through a thin needle or the skull is opened.
Glioblastoma can be extremely complex, so there are several ways to treat it. The decision belongs to a multidisciplinary team consisting of a neurosurgeon, clinical oncologist, and radiotherapist who will provide the best treatment for glioblastoma.
Surgery is the normal first step in treatment. When it is possible, doctors try to take the whole tumour out during the operation. Studies show that survival is significantly greater with complete resection. The problem with that, however, is that not every tumor is located in a place where it is possible to excise the surrounding tissue completely. In cases where the cancer is in important areas of the brain, only part of the tumour may be able to be removed. Even though partial removal is linked to a worse prognosis, it can still enhance the patient's survival prospects. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are adjuncts to treatment for glioblastoma following surgery.
Afterward, there are additional treatments to eliminate remaining cancer cells or decrease the risk of cancer recurring. Radiotherapy is beneficial for all brain tumour patients. For example, this therapy also works for patients with high-grade glioblastoma. This method uses radiation to harm glioblastoma cells' DNA, hindering their replication capacity.
Glioblastoma patients can also receive chemotherapy. These drugs kill cancer cells. This means they can pass through the blood-brain barrier and be deliverable to the tumour itself in an oral formulation. Chemotherapy is very often paired with radiation to enhance outcomes. The drugs reduce the growth of the tumour and alleviate the severe symptoms of the disease. But so too are unavoidable side effects.
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