A glioblastoma glial tumor arises in the brain and contains a number of different cell types. These aggressive tumors are difficult to treat and may not respond even to an intense multifaceted treatment regimen. Even when successfully treated, recurrence remains a possibility for years to come.
Definition
A glial tumor, also known as a glioma, forms from any one of the cell types called glial cells, which include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymocytes. According to the University of Maryland, 80 percent of malignant brain tumors are glial tumors. A glioblastoma is a particular type of glial tumor that stems from astrocytes. Glioblastomas, also called glioblastoma multiforme, are considered a grade IV cancer, the most aggressive and malignant form of tumor. Inside the center of these tumors is a core of dead cancer cells.
Causes
The direct cause of most cancers is unknown. Environment and genetics likely work together to allow cancer to develop. However, according to the International Radiosurgery Association, about 80 percent of patients with glioblastomas have multiple copies of chromosome seven. Environmental sources that might affect tumor development include exposure to radiation, viruses, hormones and chemicals.
Characteristics
According to the International Radiosurgery Association, men are more prone to developing glioblastomas than women, and these tumors make up about 23 percent of all primary brain tumors diagnosed in the United States Older adults between the ages of 45 and 74 are more likely to develop glioblastoma multiforme than people of younger ages. Because these tumors are made up of many different cell types, they are extremely difficult to treat. Even when one cell type is destroyed, the other portions of the glioblastoma continue to grow.
Treatment
Treatment options for a glioblastoma glial tumor depend on the location and aggressiveness of the specific tumor and the preferences of the patient. A typical treatment plan may include surgery to remove the tumor if it is in an accessible area of the brain, neurosurgical radiosurgery using targeted beams of radiation, radiation therapy over time and chemotherapy. Often, multiple forms of treatment will be given in a series or simultaneously. Glioblastoma patients may also be candidates for clinical trials involving new treatments.
Prognosis
The prognosis of glioblastomas, like any brain tumor, varies greatly depending on the particular patient and the characteristics his tumor exhibits. However, according to Massachusetts General Hospital, since glioblastomas are highly aggressive, they are likely to regrow after treatment. A patient who has been treated for a glioblastoma is monitored carefully after treatment to watch for any recurrence.
