Glioblastoma: Understanding One of the Most Aggressive Brain Tumours

Glioblastoma is a type of brain tumour that starts in the nerve cells of the brain or spinal cord. These nerve cells are called astrocytes. In glioblastoma, the tumour grows and invades the surrounding tissue rapidly.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer. Older adults are at a higher risk. A patient with glioblastoma typically lives less than six months without treatment. Timely glioblastoma treatment can slow down tumour growth and alleviate symptoms.

What is Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is the most prevalent brain cancer. In glioblastoma cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly, making it one of the most aggressive brain cancers. Glioblastoma can spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord, as well as other areas of the body.

A glioblastoma tumour forms from the star-shaped nerve cells in the brain called astrocytes. In adults, this cancer typically starts in the cerebrum, the brain’s largest part. Since glioblastoma tumours can make their blood supply, they can easily invade the surrounding healthy tissue.

There are two types of glioblastomas:

1. Primary Glioblastoma: This type of glioblastoma is more aggressive and grows rapidly. It is more common in older adults. About 90% of all glioblastomas are primary.

2. Secondary Glioblastoma: This type of glioblastoma forms from a low-grade brain or spinal cord tumour. It is more common in younger adults and usually forms in the frontal lobe part of the brain. The prognosis of secondary glioblastoma is better than that of primary glioblastoma.

What Causes Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer. It occurs when the DNA of some cells in the brain or spinal cord changes. The DNA instructs the cell when to grow, divide, multiply, or die.

Due to the DNA change, the cells start growing uncontrollably without dying, forming a brain mass or a tumour. Healthy cells die at a pre-set time, while the cancer cells can keep living, leading to too many cells. In glioblastoma, this cell growth is very rapid.

What are the Symptoms of Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma symptoms include:

1. Problems with vision, such as blurry vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision
2. Headaches, especially those that hurt the most in the morning
3. Decline in brain function causing problems with thinking and understanding
4. Personality changes
5. Balance or coordination difficulties
6. Reduced sensation of touch
7. Seizures, especially in someone who hasn’t had any before
8. Weakness on one side of the body

What are the Risk Factors of Glioblastoma?

The risk factors of glioblastoma include:

1. Age: Older adults over 50 are at a higher risk of glioblastoma.
2. Sex: Males have a higher risk of developing glioblastoma.
3. Radiation Exposure: Exposure to a type of radiation used for cancer treatment called ionizing radiation increases the risk of developing glioblastoma.
4. Genetics: Some DNA changes can be passed from parents to children, increasing the risk of glioblastoma. These genetic syndromes include Lynch Syndrome, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and Turcot Syndrome.
5. Environmental Exposure: Exposure to certain chemicals or cancer-causing agents can increase the risk of glioblastoma.

How is Glioblastoma Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose glioblastoma through the following tests and procedures:

1. Neurological Exam: When a patient presents with signs of brain tumour, a neurologist performs a neurological exam to check vision, reflexes, strength, hearing, coordination and balance. This can give the neurologist an idea about the part of the brain glioblastoma is potentially affecting.
2. Imaging Tests: Imaging tests create detailed images of the brain that can help determine the location and size of the glioblastoma. MRI, CT scan and PET scan are three imaging tests usually used for this purpose. In an MRI, a dye is injected into the patient’s body to create better images.
3. Biopsy: In a biopsy, a tumour tissue sample is removed either with a needle before or during surgery. The sample is tested to check whether it’s glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most common kind of aggressive brain cancer. The actual cause of glioblastoma is unknown, but there are certain risk factors. There is no known cure for glioblastoma. However, treatment can slow down the tumour and reduce symptoms. The aggressive nature of this cancer makes timely diagnosis and treatment critical. Upon noticing symptoms of glioblastoma given here, one should consult a doctor without delay and book a test at Dr Lal PathLabs.

FAQs 

1. Grade 4 glioblastoma: What to expect?

Grade 4 glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive brain cancers. Without treatment, the patient’s life is less than six months. Treatment can slow down the tumour and increase the median lifespan to 15 months.

2. How to prevent glioblastoma?

It is not known what causes the brain cells to form glioblastoma; hence, there is no sure-fire way to prevent it. However, with a healthy lifestyle that includes following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting regular medical check-ups and avoiding radiation exposure glioblastoma risk can be lowered.