Glioblastoma: The Aggressive Brain Cancer Requiring Urgent Research
Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive and malignant brain tumor, poses a significant health challenge. This type of cancer, also known as grade 4 astrocytoma, is rare but accounts for nearly half of all primary brain and central nervous system tumors. Despite its prevalence in brain cancers, it represents only a small fraction of all cancers, affecting just 0.6% of individuals.
Glioblastoma is classified into two types: primary (de novo) and secondary. Primary glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form, originates directly in the brain. It grows rapidly, infiltrating surrounding brain tissue and forming many blood vessels to support its growth. This type of tumor often affects the frontal and temporal lobes but can also appear in other parts of the brain and spinal cord.
The prognosis for glioblastoma is poor, with a median survival time of 15 months for adults. Only 5.6% of adults survive five years after diagnosis. However, survival rates vary among age groups, with 19.4% of children and 26% of adolescents achieving five-year survival. New treatments, such as MGMT methylation, are helping to extend life expectancy for those affected by this disease. Glioblastoma is a type of astrocytoma, originating in astrocytes that support and nourish brain nerve cells.
Glioblastoma, a rare but significant brain cancer, requires continued research and innovative treatments to improve survival rates. Despite its rarity among all cancers, it represents nearly half of all primary brain and central nervous system tumors, making it a critical area of focus in cancer research.
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