Glioblastoma
A glioblastoma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive tumor of the central nervous system, primarily of the brain, and, more specifically, the cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia, and commissural pathways.[1] It is not curable with present methods, although recent developments have improved median survival. Onset is most common in the fifth or sixth decade of life, but certainly can appear in any adult or adolescent stage.
It is termed "malignant", which usually refers to the propensity to metastasize, but, as typical of central nervous system neoplasms, does not metastasize beyond the blood-brain barrier but expands rapidly within the central nervous system. GBM is the most common and aggressive primary (i.e., not from metastasis) brain tumor.
There has been an overall increase in diagnoses of gliomas in the United States, but it is argued variously that there is a true increase, or that they are being diagnosed more often due to the revised classification or better medical imaging.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
While the preferred chemotherapeutic agent is temozolomide, ongoing studies also show a value for BCNU. One study with temozolomide and radiation showed median survival of 14.6 months with radiation therapy plus temozolomide and 12.1 months with radiation therapy alone.[2] Some temozolomide-treated patients have survived for 5 years.
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Glioblastoma (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ R. Stupp, M. Hegi, W. Mason, M. van den Bent, M. Taphoorn, R. Janzer, S. Ludwin, A. Allgeier, B. Fisher, K. Belanger, "Effects of radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide versus radiotherapy alone on survival in glioblastoma in a randomised phase III study: 5-year analysis of the EORTC-NCIC trial", The Lancet Oncology 10 (5)