Glioblastoma Simplified: Understanding its Symptoms and Treatment Options

Glioblastoma, additionally known as glioblastoma multiforme, is an aggressive kind of mind tumour that may happen within the mind or the spinal twine. It’s recognized to be troublesome to treatment and progresses in a short time.

It’s extra widespread in older adults, however can happen at any age.

Padmashree awardee Dr (Prof) V S Mehta is the Chairman of Neurosciences at Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. Within the video beneath, he explains how glioblastoma is handled and what the purpose of the therapy needs to be.

What are the most typical signs of glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is characterised by a fast development of signs like headache, nausea, vomiting, weak point in limbs and seizures.

Relying on the situation of the tumour within the mind, different signs like imaginative and prescient difficulties, speech difficulties and reminiscence loss may happen.

What causes glioblastoma?

It’s not potential to pinpoint the precise explanation for glioblastoma. However we do know of sure components that enhance the danger of creating it, like publicity to radiation.

How is glioblastoma recognized?

Step one to find out whether or not you endure from glioblastoma is to seek the advice of a neurosurgeon. They may perceive your signs by asking a number of questions in regards to the nature and length of the signs. This may assist them rule out different potential causes of those signs.

An MRI scan will assist in figuring out mind tumours. (You possibly can learn extra about how to prepare for an MRI scan here.)

Relying on the situation of the tumour, a stereotactic needle could also be carried out for tumours in very delicate areas inside the mind that could be broken by a extra in depth surgical procedure to verify the prognosis and can assist the neurosurgeon and the oncologists plan the course of therapy.

How is glioblastoma handled?

Step one in treating glioblastoma is surgical procedure, to take away as a lot of the tumor as potential. After surgical procedure, the following therapy is radiation remedy together with oral (in tablet type) chemotherapy drug referred to as Temozolomide. After completion of this therapy, Temozolomide is sustained for six cycles throughout the upkeep part.

In instances the place the affected person can not obtain surgical procedure resulting from their well being situation or different causes, radiation remedy could also be used to shrink the dimensions of the tumour.

Will the affected person be cured?

Sadly, there’s at present no treatment for glioblastoma. The aim of the therapy is to extend the time interval between the development or recurrence of the tumour.

Dr Aditi Aggarwal is a Sr Advisor – Radiation Oncologist at Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. On this video, she explains how radiation remedy is beneficial for glioblastoma and what side-effects will be anticipated from it.