Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM): Understanding Prognosis & Symptoms

Glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, is regarded as the most commonly aggressive primary brain tumor. Classified as a grade IV astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme grows extensively before any symptoms appear, and is a very malignant form of brain cancer.

Identification

• The symptoms produced by GBMs are associated with its weight upon the brain and its infiltration into the brain tissues. These include blood circulation restriction, pressure within the cranial cavit, and neurologic damage resulting in seizures, headaches and mental and personality changes.

Significance

• Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common brain tumor in adults.

Considerations

• The prognosis for GBM is not significantly promising, limiting the time to under three years. However, some patients have survived longer than three years, while others have even survived well beyond five years.

Function

• The limitations in the prognosis is usually due to the tumor's persistence even in the face of ongoing treatment, or its recurrence after removal of the tumor.

Features

• Survivors beyond five years are typically women and those who have had a tumor-free period after the first diagnosis, surgery to remove most or all of the tumor, chemotherapy and/or radiation, as well as those who are under the age of 40 when first diagnosed with GBM.