Glioblastomas

I decided to write about glioblasotomas. Hearing about Ted Kennedy passing away, and my experience with patients who come in for MRI scans, made me want to learn more about them. Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Symptoms are directly related to the location of the tumor. Most brain tumors are asymptomatic until they have grown. Symptoms may include but are not limited too seizures, progressive memory loss, headache, and personality changes. MRI is the modality of choice when it comes to diagnosing glioblastomas. These tumors appear as ring enhancing lesions post contrast. Multiple scelerosis, absessess, and metastatic cancer also display ring like enhancement post contrast, so a biopsy is needed. Surgery is the first option due to the fact most patients need relief from what structure the tumor is pressing on. Radiation and chemotherapy are also utilized during the treatment plan. Unfortunately glioblastomas often grow back within or near the original site of the brain. With that being said the prognosis for patients with glioblastomas are not favorable. Patients who choose to not have any treatments have a survival rate of about five months. Patients who choose to have surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy may live up to fifteen months. Obviously with any type of cancer, early or late detection, patients age, health and size of tumor may change these outcomes listed above.