Glioblastoma multiforme is a fast-spreading malignant brain tumor that causes symptoms such as headaches and impaired cognitive function. It is usually fatal and can be caused by genetics or environmental factors. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, but complete eradication of the cancer is often impossible.
A glioblastoma multiforme is a type of malignant brain tumor that emerges and spreads rapidly. A person can get a brain tumor at any age, although this specific type most frequently affects people over the age of 50. Glioblastomas typically cause a range of symptoms, from chronic headaches to impaired cognitive functioning, and are ultimately fatal in most cases. When cancer is found, doctors usually try a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the cancer.
Doctors generally aren’t sure what triggers the development of glioblastomas, but research suggests that genetics may play a significant role. Many patients diagnosed with brain tumors have a family history of cancer and other cognitive problems. Some professionals believe that certain environmental factors, including cell phone use and exposure to toxic chemicals, can also lead to cancer, but there is no scientific research data reliable enough to confirm the hypothesis.
A glioblastoma multiforme usually begins as a small precancerous lesion within the temporal, frontal, or parietal lobe of the brain. The lesions tend to become malignant and start spreading rapidly, and a tumor can form completely in less than a year. Aggressive cancer can migrate to other lobes of the brain and, if left untreated, invade the brainstem and other parts of the body.
In its earlier stages, a glioblastoma multiforme may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As a tumor grows, a person might experience headaches, nausea, weakness, and vomiting. Advanced-stage cancer usually causes difficulty concentrating, changes in mood and behavior, and eventual sensory loss. Some people have seizures or strokes due to tumors that disrupt electrical pathways in the brain. It is very important to report any possible symptoms of a glioblastoma multiforme to a doctor immediately to ensure an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.
A specialist can check for signs of a glioblastoma multiforme by doing computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. If CT and MRI results indicate abnormalities, a surgeon will biopsy tissue from the suspected tumor for laboratory analysis. Laboratory tests are used to confirm what type of tumor a patient has, its stage, and how likely it is to spread to other parts of the brain.
Once the diagnosis is made, doctors can consider treatment options. Surgery is the preferred treatment for small, early-stage tumors in an attempt to completely remove the cancerous tissue from the brain. Most cancers aren’t detected early enough, however, for surgery to be effective on its own. In most cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are given to kill cancerous cells that remain after surgical procedures. Because glioblastomas are aggressive and persistent, it is often impossible to completely eradicate the cancer.
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