Various changes in your DNA lead to the development of glioblastoma brain tumours (Pic: Instagram/iStock)
Former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards passed away at 67 after battling brain cancer. The trailblazing women's rights activist had on social media last January shared her cancer diagnosis and that she was suffering from glioblastoma, a fast-growing, malignant brain tumour that originates from glial cells in the brain or spinal cord.
Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain cancer in adults.
Richards had described going through a whirlwind of treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while continuing her activism.
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma, also known as GBM, is the most common type of malignant brain tumour that starts in the brain mostly in adults. According to experts, cancer cells in glioblastoma tumours rapidly grow and multiply extremely fast, spreading cancer into other areas of your brain and spinal cord as well. However, the cancer rarely spreads outside your brain to other parts of your body.
Glioma tumours like GBM begin in the glial cells—important to nerve cell function. Glioblastoma specifically forms in glial cells and astrocytes.
Doctors say this devastating type of cancer results in death in fewer than six months without treatment, so it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible to prolong your life.
What causes glioblastoma?
According to studies, various changes in your DNA lead to the development of glioblastoma brain tumours, which are there in the genes. These give instructions to your cells about how to grow and multiply. And that is when mutations to the DNA in your genes cause cells to multiply out of control.
Various studies also suggest that it is possible to inherit genetic variations from your biological parents, but inherited GBMs are rare.
What are the risk factors for glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma most commonly affects people ages 45 to 70 years and the average age at diagnosis is 64. Men have a slightly higher risk, but the disease affects all ages and sexes. These factors may increase your risk:
- Exposure to chemicals, like pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber, and vinyl chloride
- Genetic tumour-causing conditions
- Previous radiation therapy to your head
Signs and symptoms of glioblastoma
While glioblastoma symptoms tend to come on quickly, a few prominent ones include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Severe headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Memory issues
- Mood and personality changes
- Muscle weakness or balance issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Speech issues
- Recurrent numbness and tingling
Can glioblastoma be managed or treated?
According to doctors, there is no cure for glioblastoma, and treatments focus mostly on removing or shrinking the tumour to reduce symptoms, extend your life and improve the quality of your life. However, the first step is surgery to remove the tumour, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. If surgery is not an option due to your health or the tumour location, doctors may also advise you to go for radiation and chemotherapy to try to manage it.
Glioblastoma treatment includes:
- Radiation therapy
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
- Chemotherapy
- Laser interstitial thermal therapy or laser ablation
- Targeted therapy
- Tumour treatment fields
- Immunotherapy
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