Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), also known as a grade IV astrocytoma, is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Although GBM can occur at any age, the disease is most commonly diagnosed after the age of 50.

I wanted to discuss this type of cancer and add it to the Cancer by the Numbers feature because it has directly affected my family. My 39-year-old uncle died of the disease in 1987. He only survived a year after diagnosis. It is disheartening that this disease has not seen any strides in improved survival rates over all these years.

The Numbers

GBM accounts for 52 percent of all primary brain tumor cases. Brain tumors account for one in every 100 cancers diagnosed annually in the United States. Most malignant brain tumors and brain cancers have spread from other tumors in the body to the skull, including cancers of the breast and lung, malignant melanoma and blood cell cancers.

Symptoms

Symptoms produced by brain tumors depend on their location, size, rate of growth and stage. Those who have symptoms that do not go away should see their doctor immediately. In general, brain cancer symptoms include:

• Abnormal pulse and breathing rates
• Deep, dull headaches that recur often and persist without relief for long periods of time
• Difficulty walking or speaking
• Dizziness
• Eyesight problems, including double vision
• Seizures
• Vomiting

Diagnosis and Detection

A doctor may perform a neurological exam to determine if the patient's senses, reflexes, mental status and memory are working normally. Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to pinpoint what is going on in the brain.

Treatment

When possible, depending on the part of the brain the tumor inhabits, surgery is used to resect all or most of the tumor. Sometimes surgical removal is impossible because of the location of the brain tumor. Brain damage can occur as a result of surgery so it imperative that the surgery will not threaten important brain functions.

Chemotherapy and radiation are also treatment options, however, they are at this time mostly used for symptomatic and palliative care therapies.

Survival

Sadly, tumor recurrence after surgery, radiation and chemotherapy is almost inevitable. The treatments usually only increase the symptom-free survival, rather than prolong survival. The median survival from the time of diagnosis without any treatment is only three months. With standard treatment the median survival is about 14 months.

It is not well known that there are long term survivors of this disease. David M. Bailey is an inspiration to brain tumor patients and survivors, he has been living cancer-free for more than 10 years. His love of songwriting and performing has kept him strong, and has helped him through his cancer journey.

For more information about GBM, visit the following websites: