Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive forms of brain tumors. Nearly 23% of all brain tumors are glioblastomas. They affect the glial cells which surround and support the main component of the brain: nerve cells. There are two categories of glioblastomas: giant cell and gliosacroma. Glioblastomas spread easily to other surrounding brain tissues.
Glioblastomas often present with seizures, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and hemi paresis. With progression of the size of the brain tumor, it can cause memory loss, personality deficits, and neurological deficits. Glioblastomas can be detected with either CT or MRI. A sterotatic biopsy is the preferred procedure to confirm the tumor type.
T-2 weighted MRI Sagittal
Glioblastomas are treated with anticonvulsants to prevent or reduce seizures. Corticosteroids may be administered to help with brain edema and inflammation. Chemotherapy and radiation can be used to shrink the tumor. Surgery is the best treatment to remove the tumors. Recurrence of glioblastomas is very high even when the entire tumor is removed. Mortality is very common, especially when the entire tumor can not be removed.
Glioblastoma is the type of brain tumor that killed Senator Ted Kennedy.
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