Glioblastoma multiforme, also known as GBM, is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans.  Despite being the most common, its prevalence is 2-3 cases per 100,000.  GBM carries the worst prognosis of all central nervous system malignancies, second to brainstem gliomas, with a median survival time of 3-5 months and a 5 year survival rate of 1%. Although rare, it is not uncommon to know or have heard of someone with this type of brain tumor. This is the same type of brain tumor that killed Senator Ted Kennedy and Met’s catcher Gary Carter.   

What are the symptoms of a glioblastoma brain tumor?

Symptoms of this type of brain tumor depend on the location of the tumor and can include:

o   Progressive memory, personality or neurological deficit

o   Seizure

o   Nausea and vomiting

o   Headache

What causes a glioblastoma?

These brain tumors appear to be sporadic, without genetic predisposition.  That being said, GBM occurs more commonly in males, adults over age 50 and more often in Caucasians and Asians.  Alcohol consumption may also be a possible risk factor.  There has been evidence that viral infections or ionizing radiation causes these types of brain tumors.

How do you treat glioblastomas?

Treatment for this type of brain tumor can be very difficult because of several reasons:

1.       These type of tumor cells are very resistant to conventional therapies

2.       The brain is susceptible to damage and has a limited capacity to repair itself

3.       Many drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier

Treatment typically involves anti-convulsant treatment and corticosteroid usage which works to lower intracranial pressure and decrease headache or drowsiness.  But there are other more definitive treatments such as,

1.       Surgical removal: if 98% or more is removed, the patient can expect to live a significantly longer and healthier life than if less than 98% is removed

2.       Radiotherapy: usually comes after surgery and helps reduce the tumor size

3.       Chemotherapy: can occur concurrently with radiotherapy

4.       Experimental approaches such as gene transfer or heat shock protein vaccine