Glioblastoma is the most aggressive, the most lethal, and one of the most common forms of brain cancer. Let it be your “Glioblastoma Awareness Day”. Here’s what you should know about glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma Facts
- Glioblastoma is the most aggressive of all brain tumors
- It belongs to the highest (fourth) degree of malignancy
- Glioblastoma always indicates stage 4 of brain cancer
- It develops fast
- Glioblastoma often recurs
- Men are more likely to be diagnosed with glioblastoma
Does Genetic Factor Play Any Role in Glioblastoma Development?
Experts say that glioblastoma does not belong to the group of hereditary diseases. Usually, cases of brain tumor occurrence in several generations of the same family are explained not by heredity, but by coincidence. Generally, it is possible to inherit mutations associated with the risk of developing a particular type of cancer, but this does not apply to glioblastoma. The factors that cause the development of glioblastomas have not been established yet.
Should One Suspect Glioblastoma in the Presence of Headaches?
There can be many reasons for headaches. It is worth paying special attention to whether headaches intensify over time and acquire a pathological nature. Experts say that in order to suspect such a serious diagnosis as glioblastoma, headache must be taken into consideration along with other symptoms.
Clinical manifestations of glioblastoma depend significantly on the tumor location in the brain. They include general symptoms associated with an increase in intracranial pressure, i.e. headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness; and local symptoms, i.e. motor functions impairment, sensitivity disorders, speech impairment, seizures, etc.
Leaving the general information behind, the glioblastoma diagnosis can be made only after proper examination.
Which Treatment Methods are Possible in Glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma stage 4 is mainly treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, proton therapy, MRI-guided laser ablation, and immunotherapy.
Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, medical history, type of tumor, its stage, and other factors, specific methods of managing the disease are selected.
However, surgery to remove glioblastoma is performed only with certain localizations of the tumor, when its borders are clearly defined and when it is possible to preserve the healthy brain tissue. In other cases, the doctor may decide to remove the formation partially. This can reduce the symptoms and improve the patient’s life quality, while the rest of the cancer cells will be exposed to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Innovative Treatments for Glioblastoma
It is known that glioblastomas often recur after treatments. The up-to-date research demonstrates that recurrent glioblastomas respond to new forms of immunotherapy. There are some new insights provided by a team from Duke’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center.
The team had some success with effects of different immunotherapies, including poliovirus therapy. Polioviruses have several advantages in producing antigen-specific cells as a potential cancer vaccine. These cells have naturally evolved to have a relationship with the human immune system.
The clinical research on glioblastoma made by medical specialists all over the world is promising, taking into account the variety of approaches. However, it might take some time before the new methods of treatment will be introduced into clinical practice.
Is it Possible to Undergo Glioblastoma Treatment During a Lockdown?
In fact, it is. Even though the lockdown can significantly complicate the accessibility of the local treatment and the treatment abroad, there are services that can help patients to start or continue their treatments.
As the most transparent medical tourism agency, Booking Health arranges the communication with the chosen hospital, facilitates application for a medical visa for the patient and accompanying person, takes care about obtaining or extending a medical visa in case if the embassy is closed or the request for a medical visa has been declined. In addition, the company books flight and accommodation, and assists in anything else patients have troubles dealing with.
Let Booking Health know if you need assistance by leaving a request on the Booking Health website. A medical advisor will contact you and provide any information you need.