Glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme, (GBM) also known as grade 4 astrocytoma is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor, accounting for 52 percent of all primary brain tumors cases.

Related Topics:
Grade - Astrocytoma

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Treatment can involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The 5 year survival rate of the disease has remained unchanged over the past 30 years, and stands at less than three percent. Even with complete resection of the tumor, combined with the best available treatment, less than 25 percent survive more than 5 years. Chromosomal aberrations like PTEN mutation, MDM2 mutation, and p53 mutation are commonly seen in these tumors. Growth factor aberrant signaling associated with EGFR, and PDGF are also seen. Tumors of this type have a tendency to infiltrate across the corpus callosum, producing a butterfly glioma.

Related Topics:
Chemotherapy - Radiotherapy - PTEN - MDM2 - P53 - EGFR - PDGF - Corpus callosum - Glioma

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Glioblastoma multiformes are characterized by the presence of small areas of necrotizing tissue that is surrounded by highly anaplastic cells. This characteristic differentiates the tumor from Grade 3 astrocytomas. Although glioblastoma multiforme can be formed from lower grade astrocytomas, post-mortem autopsies have revealed that most glioblastoma multiforme are not caused by previous lesions in the brain. Metastasis of the tumor beyond the Central Nervous System is extremely rare.

Related Topics:
Astrocytomas - Central Nervous System

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A variant of glioblastoma multiforme is known as gliomatosis cerebri. Instead of a solid tumor, the cancerous cells are more scattered and diffuse. This variant preserves the architecture of the brain, but causes the affected portion of the brain to swell. It is extremely difficult to diagnose.

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