Glioblastoma

A glioblastoma is a form of aggressive cancer that can appear in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma develops from cells that support nerve cells called astrocytes. Glioblastoma may occur at any age but in older adults, it appears to occur more frequently. It may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures to get worse. Glioblastoma is a type of astrocytoma, called astrocytes, cancer that forms from star-shaped cells in the brain. This cancer usually begins in the cerebrum, which is the largest part of your brain in adults. Glioblastoma tumors produce their own supply of blood, which helps them grow. Their invasion of normal brain tissue is easy. Since glioblastomas develop gradually, the initial signs are generally caused by pressure on the brain. The symptoms include constant headaches, seizures, vomiting, disturbing thinking, mood or personality changes, blurred vision, trouble speaking. Glioblastoma therapy is aimed at preventing and managing tumor development and helping you function as safely and as long as possible. The first treatment is an operation. The surgeon is trying to eliminate as much of the tumor as possible. It may not be possible to remove all of this in high-risk areas of the brain. Radiation is used to kill the maximum number of remaining tumor cells after surgery. It can also slow tumor growth that is not removable through surgery. Chemotherapy can help too. Temozolomide is the most common drug administered by chemotherapy doctors for glioblastoma.