The NeuroMedical Center | Patient Education Library | Glioblastoma
What is Glioblastoma (GBM)?
Glioblastoma, also known as Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common type of malignant brain tumor among adults. This type of brain tumor is usually very aggressive, meaning it grows fast and can spread quickly. GBM effects an estimated 12,500 Americans each year and is one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
What Causes GBM?
No one knows for sure what causes GBM and there is no clear way to prevent the disease. Glioblastoma can either start from normal brain cells or develop from a low-grade astrocytoma, a tumor that arises from the star-shaped cells (astrocytes) that form the supportive tissue of the brain. Glioblastoma tumors make their own blood supply, which helps them grow and makes it easy for them to invade normal brain tissue.
GBM Symptoms
Glioblastoma can occur at any age, but is more prevalent in older adults. GBM can cause:
- Worsening Headaches
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Trouble Thinking
- Mood & Personality Changes
- Vision Problems
- Speaking Difficulties
GBM Treatments
Although there is no cure, there are treatments to help ease glioblastoma symptoms. The goal of GBM treatment is to slow tumor growth and to help you live as comfortably as possible. Standard treatment for GBM is surgery, followed by radiation therapy or combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) . If inoperable, then radiation or radiation/(TMZ).
At The NeuroMedical Center, neurologist/neuro-oncologist, Dr. Jon D. Olson, is one of the few physicians in Louisiana to offer a promising alternative to standard therapy after surgical and radiation options have been exhausted. Optune® is a new method of GBM treatment for newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma.
About Optune®
Optune is the first FDA-approved therapy in more than a decade to demonstrate statistically significant extension of survival in GBM patients. The technology is a portable, non-invasive device worn on the head that stop the growth and division of GBM tumor cells with low-intensity electric fields.. Although a relatively new technology, Optune has shown great promise in extending survival time for GBS patients. In clinical trials, 50% of patients treated with Optune lived at least 2-years after starting the therapy. Historically, the median overall survival time from initial diagnosis is 15 months with optimal treatment.
Advanced Care for Glioblastoma in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The neurological experts at The NeuroMedical Center are known throughout Louisiana for providing exceptional brain tumor care. Comprehensive care for glioblastoma and other aggressive forms of brain cancer is led by Baton Rouge’s only board certified neurologist/neuro-oncologist, Dr. Jon D. Olson. With hundreds of patients with GBM currently under his care, no one in Louisiana has more knowledge or experience determining the best plan for the best outcomes for you or your loved one. Contact us today to request an appointment or a second opinion.
