Glioblastoma (GBM), also known as a grade IV astrocytoma, represents a rapidly progressing and highly aggressive brain tumor. It infiltrates the nearby brain tissue but generally does not metastasize to distant organs.
GBMs can originate de novo in the brain or develop from lower-grade astrocytomas. In adults, GBM predominantly manifests in the cerebral hemispheres, particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes. GBM is a devastating form of brain cancer that, if left untreated, can lead to death within six months or even sooner. Therefore, it is crucial to promptly seek specialized care from neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons, as this can significantly influence overall survival.
GBMs present unique challenges in treatment due to various factors, including their location in the brain, inherent resistance to conventional therapies, limited brain self-repair capacity, the migration of malignant cells into adjacent brain tissue, disrupted tumor blood supply hindering drug delivery, tumor capillary leakage causing fluid accumulation around the tumor (peritumoral edema), intracranial hypertension, tumor-induced seizures, and the neurotoxicity resulting from treatments targeting gliomas.
Regarding its prevalence and incidence, glioblastoma stands as the most common malignant brain and central nervous system tumor, accounting for 47.7% of all cases. The incidence of glioblastoma is 3.21 per 100,000 population. The median age at diagnosis is 64 years, with a higher incidence in men compared to women. Survival rates are grim, with approximately 40% survival in the first year post-diagnosis and a mere 17% in the second year. Risk factors associated with glioblastoma include prior therapeutic radiation, reduced susceptibility to allergies, and impaired immune response. Several hereditary cancer syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Lynch syndrome, substantially elevate the risk of developing glioblastoma.
