glioblastoma
Also known as GBM, adult glioblastoma multiforme, primary glioblastoma multiforme, spongioblastoma multiforme, glioblastoma multiforme, grade IV adult astrocytic tumor
Key facts
- Medical condition.name
- Glioblastoma
- Medical condition.synonyms
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- Medical condition.image
- Glioblastoma - MR coronal with contrast.jpg
- Medical condition.caption
- A coronal view (from the back of the head) of a contrast-enhanced MRI revealing a glioblastoma in a 15-year-old boy
- Medical condition.field
- Neuro-oncology, neurosurgery
- Medical condition.symptoms
- Initially nonspecific, headaches, personality changes, nausea, symptoms similar to a stroke
- Medical condition.onset
- ~64 years old
- Medical condition.causes
- Usually unclear
- Medical condition.risks
- Genetic disorders (neurofibromatosis, Li–Fraumeni syndrome), previous radiation therapy
- Medical condition.diagnosis
- CT scan, MRI scan, tissue biopsy
- Medical condition.prevention
Article
34 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Risk factors
- Genetics
- Environmental
- Other
- Pathogenesis
- Glioblastoma classification
- Molecular alterations
- Cancer stem cells
- Metabolism
- Ion channels
- MicroRNA
- Tumor vasculature
- Diagnosis
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Symptomatic therapy
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Other procedures
- Prognosis
- Epidemiology
- History
- Research
- Gene therapy
- Oncolytic virotherapy
- Intranasal drug delivery
- Enhancer RNAs (eRNAs)
- Nanoparticle-based therapeutics
- See also
- References
- External links
Glioblastoma, previously known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most aggressive and most common type of cancer that originates in the brain, and has a very poor prognosis for survival. Initial signs and symptoms of glioblastoma are nonspecific. They may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, and symptoms similar to those of a stroke. Symptoms often worsen rapidly and may progress to unconsciousness.
The cause of most cases of glioblastoma is not known. Uncommon risk factors include genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis and Li–Fraumeni syndrome, and previous radiation therapy. Glioblastomas represent 15% of all brain tumors. They are thought to arise from astrocytes. The diagnosis typically is made by a combination of a CT scan, MRI scan, and tissue biopsy.