Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, malignant brain tumor that can lead to death in less than six months when left untreated. The team of highly skilled neurosurgeons at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, performs the most advanced surgeries to treat GBM. To schedule a neurosurgery consultation, call or book an appointment online today.

What is glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant (cancerous) brain tumor. It’s an aggressive and fast-growing tumor that spreads to nearby brain tissue but doesn’t usually invade other parts of the body.

It forms from astrocytes, nerve cells found throughout the central nervous system. Though these tumors may grow in any part of the brain or spine, they most often affect the cerebral hemisphere, which is the part of the brain that controls learning, emotions, and speech.

Who is at risk of glioblastoma?

GBM is the most common malignant brain tumor, affecting about 10,000 people every year in the United States. Though you can develop GBM at any age, it’s more common in middle-aged and older adults. 

Researchers are still investigating what causes GBM but have found some factors that increase risk, such as:

• Family history
• Exposure to radiation (from cancer treatment or atomic bomb)
• History of allergies
• An impaired immune system

Prognosis for GBM is poor, but with advances in treatment options, people are living longer. 

What are the symptoms of glioblastoma?

GBM symptoms vary and depend on the location of the tumor. Common symptoms include:

• Chronic headaches
• Blurry vision
• Poor appetite
• Vomiting
• Mood and personality changes
• Changes in thinking and learning
• Seizures

You need to schedule an evaluation if you or someone you love has any of the signs and symptoms of GBM. Early diagnosis and treatment improve your prognosis.

What are the treatments for glioblastoma?

Surgery is the primary treatment for GBM. During surgery, the neurosurgeons at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida remove as much of the tumor as possible without injuring the brain tissue. 

The Brain and Spine Center of South Florida uses the most advanced tools and techniques when performing this type of surgery, including computer-assisted imaging and intraoperative mapping.

During intraoperative mapping, the patient is awake during surgery so the neurosurgeon can properly map brain function, helping to determine what parts of the brain are safe to remove.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy follow surgery. The team at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida perform radiosurgery, which is a type of radiation therapy that delivers the radiation directly to the tumor.

To learn more about the treatments for glioblastoma, call the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida or schedule an appointment online today.