Considerations and Treatments of Glioblastomas

Brain cancer is usually accompanied at first by headaches and seizures. Later symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, fever, change in pulse, and trouble breathing. Other mental changes may also occur such as difficulty in communication. Symptoms greatly depend on the location of the tumor. For example, if the tumor were located on the part of the brain controlling vision, then vision would be affected.

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive form of malignant brain cancer in adults. On average, 8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year – representing approximately 2% of all cancers diagnosed [1]. Glioblastoma tumors form when astrocytes, star-shaped cells which support and protect the brain, re-enter the cell cycle and start to rapidly divide. Because the brain is supported by a large network of blood vessels, tumors grow quickly and are difficult to remove surgically. Present treatments for glioblastoma are limited to surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy; however, despite these interventions tumors are likely to regrow. Consequently, typical survival time following glioblastoma diagnosis is less than 2 years.

Glioblastoma (pronounced like gleO blastoma) is an incurable brain cancer,Survival rate is usually measured in months.This became a word that was instantly defined, researched, dissected, feared, and tried to comprehend and understand by family,friends and acquaintances of Larry McKee (McKee)who was personally affected from this single word, it was quickly added to their vocabulary, because of the of the events that transpired on October 22, 2011 that forever changed lives “Glioblastomas are tumors that arise from the astrocytes- the star-shaped cells that make up the “glue-like,” or supportive tissue of the brain. These tumors are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels.”(A.B.T A..) He was diagnosed with stage four.

There are signs that could be the result of a brain tumor. Symptoms include seizures, severe or persistent headaches, increasing irritability, changes in personalities, unusual fatigue or sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting, difficulties with hearing, speech, taste, smell, or bladder. Seen in [Siegel, Mary-Ellen. The Cancer Patient's Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about Today's Care and Treatment. New York: Walker, 1986. 127-28. Print. ] Often these symptoms lead to something less extreme, but you should be more concerned with seizures. There are treatments for neurological cancer that include surgery, radiotherapy and chemo therapy often all of these. Diagnosis is found through history of patients and reflexes. They also include a spinal tap, skull X rays, CAT scans, EEG,

Dr Jennifer Chan, the head of this tumor research, is an Associate Professor & Neuropathologist in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Oncology, and Clinical Neuroscience in the University of Calgary. Besides her work on education, she is also directing a tumorigenesis research team at the University of Calgary, and a tumor banking program which supports pediatric cancer research. Nonetheless, she is also a member of both the Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute and the Experimental and Applied Therapeutics Program (ExpAT).

Tumors can be classified into three types: 1) benign 2) pre malignant 3) malignant tumor. Benign tumors are those which are incapable of abrupt expanding and affecting the other healthy brain tissues. Premalignant tumor is a pre cancerous stage, if not treated properly it may lead to cancers. It is often considered as a disease. Malignant tumor grows rapidly with time an ultimately leads to death of patient. Malignant is a medical term describing a sever growth of a disease. The most common primary brain Tumors are gliomas, wherein 70% are in the group of malignant gliomas, glioblastoma multiform (GBM).The GBM is one of the highest malignant human

Glioma is a tumor that is a type of brain cancer. Glioma tumors are made up by cells called glial cells. Glial cells normally provide nutrition, oxygen, and structural support to the brain. Three types of glial cells can produce tumors. Gliomas are named after the type of glial cell that is involved in the tumor. A tumor is formed when the glial cells grow into an abnormal mass of tissue. Gliomas are one of the most common types of brain tumors that occur in adults.

Treatment and prognosis of cerebral gliomas vary depending on their grading. To date, histological evidence provided by biopsy is the gold standard for grading of gliomas. Development of diagnostic neuroimaging methods for non-invasive differentiation of high and low grade tumors is extremely desirable.

Since DIPG brain tumors are on the bottom of the brain and are so close to the spinal cord most nearly all of the symptoms are caused from the tumor effecting the nervous system so bad. Symptoms include double vision, unable to close eye lids completely, dropping of one side of the face, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and difficulty balancing. Due to the tumor growing so fast and so rapidly the symptoms worsen rapidly.

Mai is a 66-year-old female diagnosed with IV NSCLC (with multiple large brain metastases) EGFR exon 19 deletion (C34.90). Mai experienced headaches, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. A very recent CT scan revealed multiple brain metastases, which are large, and throughout the cerebral hemisphere including both of the cerebellums. Mai is being treated with radiation, decradron and high-dose steroids, but still experienced disease progression. The denial states that Mai must try to fail Tarceva, Iressa and Gilotrif, however due to the highly acute, tumor burden brain metastases, with Tagrisso as a front-lien treatment it will actively fight against exon 19 deletion and more importantly, good CNS activity. Given these results of Tagrisso,

DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) is a disease which strikes at the heart of childhood. At the base of the brain, just above the spinal cord is the brainstem. The tumor affects the pons area of the brainstem, supplying the nervous system function unattainable. ‘“There’s not a single drug approved”’ (Mukhopadhyay). Due to the location of the tumor, it cannot be surgically removed. Unfortunately, the only option available is Radiation that is considered temporary, with no benefits. “Chemotherapy is frequently ineffective, since anti-cancer drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the tumor” (Zhiping 2). In the end, leaves the patient and parents hopeless for fighting this

Glioblastoma Multiforme is an extremely aggressive brain tumor that can drastically alter how the body moves, a person’s memory, vision, emotion, thought, etc (GBM Guide). Having something in your brain that has the potential to drastically

Glioblastoma(GB) is the most common primary malignant solid brain tumor in adults1. Known for its aggressive characteristics and poor prognosis, the median survival rates of GB patients remain less than 18 months2,3. Tumor relapse owing to chemotherapeutic resistance is almost universal and GB is no exception, thus reflecting in high mortality and morbidity rates4. The WHO 2016 classification of brain tumors identifies GB tumors based on histology, molecular and genetic characterization into defined transcription profiles such as classical, neural, pro-neural and mesenchymal types5. Additionally, the commonly occurring genetic aberrations of primary GB are amplifications/mutations of EGFR, PDGFRA, PTEN, and of secondary GB are IDH1, MDM2

Common malignant brain cancers increase significantly according to statistical data collected by the National Cancer Institute. In 1984, the annual incidence rates of primary brain tumor and primary brain lymphoma also increased notably, the rate of lymphoma almost tripling,

Another major breakthrough that occurred in the early 1970’s was the discovery of the first promising chemotherapy for glioma. A glioma is a malignant tumor that begins in the glial cells which surround the nervous system. Gliomas can be found in the brain and spinal cord. Researchers studied a chemotherapy drug called carmustine (BCNU) and