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- The Most Common Brain Cancer Is Also The Most Aggressive
The Most Common Brain Cancer Is Also The Most Aggressive
An unusual aspect of cancers of the brain is that the most statistically common form of cancer that originates in the brain is also the most aggressive and the one that needs immediate intervention.
Part of a family of tumours known as gliomas, glioblastoma was for a very long time described by doctors in the way someone might discuss an apex predator; if it was around, it is a serious issue that needs resolving quickly.
Whilst there are other forms of cancer that can spread quickly, often known as high-grade or Grade 3 cancers, what makes glioblastoma so unusual is that it is also one of the most common primary cancerous brain tumours found in English patients.
According to Cancer Research UK, 32 per cent of primary brain tumours (tumours that originated in the brain) are glioblastoma , and since it is inherently so aggressive, abnormal and serious, immediate intervention is required.
Why Does Glioblastoma Need To Be Treated So Quickly?
Whilst most cancers, particularly those that originate in the brain, generally become significantly harder to treat once symptoms set in, glioblastoma has the dangerous combination of being difficult to diagnose and rapid progression once symptoms do occur.
On an MRI scan, a glioblastoma looks like a ring-enhancing lesion and therefore can look similar to a tumour-like multiple sclerosis symptom, the metastasis of another form of cancer or even a brain abscess. It typically takes an MRI, a CT scan and a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.
Similarly, symptoms are initially nonspecific but can progress quickly to headaches, nausea, personality changes, difficulties speaking, changes in smell, hearing and sight, difficulties with balance and even stroke-like symptoms, progressing as far as unconsciousness.
What Are The Treatments For Glioblastoma?
Typically, cancer treatment prioritises the most minimally invasive procedure that will remove any traces of the tumour entirely. This is especially the case with cancers that are diagnosed early, and thus have far more options.
Whilst this can vary depending on individual needs, typically this takes the order of radiotherapy to either shrink or destroy the tumour, chemotherapy either on its own or in combination with radiotherapy, with surgery to remove the tumour being the biggest step, typically with other treatments to get rid of any remaining cells.
By contrast, with glioblastoma, the first course of action is typically preparing for surgery, with high-dose steroids often used to help reduce the swelling and relieve particularly rough symptoms.
The next step is the surgical removal of as much of the tumour as possible, as well as the implantation of medicated wafers that start the first step of chemotherapy as soon as possible after treatment.
The more of a tumour that can be removed, the greater the prognosis after the treatment, with most surgical procedures aiming to remove at least 98 per cent of the tumour directly, with other treatments used to eliminate the rest.
Following this a patient will generally have daily targeted radiotherapy sessions as well as chemotherapy medication, typically in the form of temozolomide . This part of the treatment will typically take around 45 days.
The final stage is taking temozolomide and observing the effects to check for the recurrence of cancer cells.
Whilst previous treatment paths had a prognosis that could be measured in weeks or months, this three-step process can allow people to live for several years after diagnosis.
Alternatively, if surgery is not an option because of ill health, radiotherapy alone or a modified combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used. These will typically be palliative in nature and focused more on controlling symptoms, lowering swelling and reducing pain.
There are some complications with treating brain tumours, and the use of medications other than chemotherapy is typically not effective.
This is due to the blood-brain barrier , a protective filter that regulates the substances in the blood that can pass into the brain, which is vital for protecting the brain against harmful diseases given its relatively limited capacity to repair itself on its own, also means that a lot of cancer drugs will not work inside the brain.
This may change with the rapid development of cancer drugs, and given that there are substances that can traverse the barrier, from antidepressants, antipsychotics and epilepsy medication to caffeine and alcohol.
Typically, these treatments can control glioblastoma, but if after observation the tumour starts to grow again, the same treatments may be used again.
Alternatively, given the importance of managing glioblastoma, there are regular clinical trials for treatments aiming to either be more accessible or help to manage the tumour.
Part of a family of tumours known as gliomas, glioblastoma was for a very long time described by doctors in the way someone might discuss an apex predator; if it was around, it is a serious issue that needs resolving quickly.
Whilst there are other forms of cancer that can spread quickly, often known as high-grade or Grade 3 cancers, what makes glioblastoma so unusual is that it is also one of the most common primary cancerous brain tumours found in English patients.
According to Cancer Research UK, 32 per cent of primary brain tumours (tumours that originated in the brain) are glioblastoma , and since it is inherently so aggressive, abnormal and serious, immediate intervention is required.
Why Does Glioblastoma Need To Be Treated So Quickly?
Whilst most cancers, particularly those that originate in the brain, generally become significantly harder to treat once symptoms set in, glioblastoma has the dangerous combination of being difficult to diagnose and rapid progression once symptoms do occur. On an MRI scan, a glioblastoma looks like a ring-enhancing lesion and therefore can look similar to a tumour-like multiple sclerosis symptom, the metastasis of another form of cancer or even a brain abscess. It typically takes an MRI, a CT scan and a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis.
Similarly, symptoms are initially nonspecific but can progress quickly to headaches, nausea, personality changes, difficulties speaking, changes in smell, hearing and sight, difficulties with balance and even stroke-like symptoms, progressing as far as unconsciousness.
What Are The Treatments For Glioblastoma?
Typically, cancer treatment prioritises the most minimally invasive procedure that will remove any traces of the tumour entirely. This is especially the case with cancers that are diagnosed early, and thus have far more options. Whilst this can vary depending on individual needs, typically this takes the order of radiotherapy to either shrink or destroy the tumour, chemotherapy either on its own or in combination with radiotherapy, with surgery to remove the tumour being the biggest step, typically with other treatments to get rid of any remaining cells.
By contrast, with glioblastoma, the first course of action is typically preparing for surgery, with high-dose steroids often used to help reduce the swelling and relieve particularly rough symptoms.
The next step is the surgical removal of as much of the tumour as possible, as well as the implantation of medicated wafers that start the first step of chemotherapy as soon as possible after treatment.
The more of a tumour that can be removed, the greater the prognosis after the treatment, with most surgical procedures aiming to remove at least 98 per cent of the tumour directly, with other treatments used to eliminate the rest.
Following this a patient will generally have daily targeted radiotherapy sessions as well as chemotherapy medication, typically in the form of temozolomide . This part of the treatment will typically take around 45 days.
The final stage is taking temozolomide and observing the effects to check for the recurrence of cancer cells.
Whilst previous treatment paths had a prognosis that could be measured in weeks or months, this three-step process can allow people to live for several years after diagnosis.
Alternatively, if surgery is not an option because of ill health, radiotherapy alone or a modified combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is used. These will typically be palliative in nature and focused more on controlling symptoms, lowering swelling and reducing pain.
There are some complications with treating brain tumours, and the use of medications other than chemotherapy is typically not effective.
This is due to the blood-brain barrier , a protective filter that regulates the substances in the blood that can pass into the brain, which is vital for protecting the brain against harmful diseases given its relatively limited capacity to repair itself on its own, also means that a lot of cancer drugs will not work inside the brain.
This may change with the rapid development of cancer drugs, and given that there are substances that can traverse the barrier, from antidepressants, antipsychotics and epilepsy medication to caffeine and alcohol.
Typically, these treatments can control glioblastoma, but if after observation the tumour starts to grow again, the same treatments may be used again.
Alternatively, given the importance of managing glioblastoma, there are regular clinical trials for treatments aiming to either be more accessible or help to manage the tumour.
