Glioblastoma is a fast-growing, aggressive type of brain tumor in adults. Because it grows quickly and can spread into nearby brain tissue, early diagnosis and treatment are important.
A glioblastoma diagnosis can feel overwhelming. At Banner Health, our team of experts will guide you through your choices and help you create a treatment plan to manage the disease and keep you comfortable.
Glioblastoma, also called glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, is a type of brain tumor classified as a glioma. A glioma is a tumor that develops from glial cells in the brain. Glioblastoma develops from astrocytes, a type of glial cell that helps support and protect nerve cells in the brain.
It is the most aggressive type of primary brain cancer, meaning the cancer begins in the brain rather than spreading from another part of the body. It is classified as a Grade 4 brain tumor.
A brain tumor can cause many different changes. Glioblastoma symptoms often start suddenly. That’s because the tumor grows quickly, increases pressure inside your skull and presses against brain tissue.
Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is located. Common signs include:
Many conditions can cause symptoms like these. To have your symptoms evaluated, find a Banner Health provider near you.
Most of the time, the cause is unknown. The disease usually happens due to random changes in the DNA of brain cells.
Glioblastoma is usually not inherited from parents and doesn’t run in families. It’s not caused by lifestyle choices.
If your health care provider thinks you might have a brain tumor, they will start with a neurological exam to check your vision, hearing, balance, reflexes and muscle strength.
They may order:
With glioblastoma, you need quick action and ongoing medical attention. Your care team will work closely with you to manage your daily health.
After a glioblastoma diagnosis, you need to start medical care right away. While there is no cure, treatment can help slow the tumor’s growth and manage your symptoms.
The first step in glioblastoma treatment is usually a surgery called a craniotomy, where a neurosurgeon removes as much of the tumor as they can. These tumors can’t always be completely removed because of the way they grow into healthy brain tissue. Sometimes, a biopsy of the tumor is safer than trying to take all of it out.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target cancer cells the surgeon could not remove.
Along with radiation, you may take a chemotherapy drug called temozolomide (TMZ) to help slow down the growth of cancer cells.
Tumor-treating fields send low-intensity electrical fields through your skull with pads attached to your scalp. These electrical fields make it harder for cancer cells to divide and grow.
Clinical trials give you access to new and innovative treatments, including advanced options like immunotherapies and targeted drugs. Your care team can help you decide if a clinical trial is right for you.
Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and managing side effects. This care works along with your cancer treatments to keep you comfortable and improve your quality of life.
A cancer diagnosis impacts your emotional well-being. Our cancer support services can help you cope.
Our programs include:
Glioblastoma is a serious, fast-growing brain tumor that needs specialized care right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage your symptoms.
At Banner Health, we provide expert care for complex brain tumors. Our multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists works together to build a treatment plan designed just for you.
To get care from our specialists, find a Banner Health provider near you.
Yes, glioblastoma is a type of primary brain cancer. It is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor found in adults.
Often, you may have frequent headaches that are worse in the morning. Other early signs are unexpected seizures, memory issues or sudden personality changes.
Glioblastoma is a grade 4 tumor, which means it grows very rapidly. It can quickly spread into surrounding healthy brain tissue. But it doesn’t usually spread to other parts of the body.
A neurosurgeon can remove the main mass of the tumor to lower the pressure in your brain. However, surgery cannot remove every cell because the tumor spreads microscopically into healthy tissue. A total resection means removing all tumor visible on MRI, even though we know that small tumor cells not visible on imaging require additional chemotherapy and radiation to slow how quickly the tumor can come back.
Standard treatment includes surgery followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Doctors may also use tumor-treating fields and clinical trials.
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