One of the problems with astrocytomas is that they can spread throughout the brain, blending with normal tissue. That makes them almost impossible to remove completely with surgery. While they generally don’t spread to other parts of the body, they can spread through cerebrospinal fluid.
Non-Infiltrating (Grade 1) Astrocytomas These do not usually spread into nearby tissues and can be more easily removed surgically. Patients with these tumors often have a good prognosis. These tumors are more common in children than in adults.Low-Grade (Grade 2) Astrocytomas These can grow slowly into nearby areas and can become more aggressive over time.Anaplastic (Grade 3) Astrocytomas These grow more quickly and can turn into glioblastomas.Glioblastomas (Grade 4) This is the stage at which these tumors grow fastest. They are the most common malignant brain tumors in adults.
Double or blurred visionLoss of appetiteChanges in mood and personality
Learn More About Glioblastoma Signs and Symptoms Many people with brain tumors were put at increased risk by radiation therapy used to treat other kinds of cancer. Children whose brains are exposed to radiation to treat leukemia, for example, may develop brain tumors 10 to 15 years later. That can be challenging because some of the typical indicators, such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, are present in other illnesses too. The person to see for a diagnosis is a neurologist, who will inquire about your symptoms and your history and check such things as your reflexes, balance, and short-term memory. If the neurologist suspects a brain tumor, he or she will refer you for additional tests. Glioblastoma is treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, glioblastomas are surrounded by migrating, infiltrating tumor cells that invade surrounding tissues, making it impossible for surgeons to ever remove the tumor entirely. One of the challenges of treating glioblastomas is that the brain has a layer of cells called the blood-brain barrier that blocks entry to substances that could potentially harm the brain. It’s difficult to get certain chemotherapy drugs past that wall.
Medication Options
Experimental Therapies May Aid Glioblastoma Survival
There are two main experimental approaches to developing better treatments for glioblastoma.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
AcupunctureHypnosisMeditationMusic therapyRelaxation exercises
It’s important to talk to your doctor first before taking any vitamins, herbs, or nutritional therapies to address issues or side effects related to cancer or its treatment. National Cancer Institute: Brain Tumors — Patient Version Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, this website provides comprehensive information about all aspects of brain cancer as well as the latest research. About Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults This valuable resource provided by the American Cancer Society covers what you need to know if you or a loved one is diagnosed with glioblastoma, and it includes information on the basics, such as the parts of the brain and different kinds of tumors. Toward the End of Life: What You and Your Family Can Expect A diagnosis of glioblastoma can be incredibly difficult. There are many decisions that individuals and families need to make about treatment. This guide provided by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center gives an overview of what to expect toward the end of life. ClinicalTrials.gov Maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, this database keeps track of the clinical trials that are underway or are recruiting patients and is searchable by condition or disease. Additional reporting by Becky Upham.
