Glioblastoma Multiforme (GLM) is an aggressive, malignant neoplasm of the brain, characterized by the presence of small areas of necrotizing tissue, surrounded by highly anaplastic cells. These tumors may arise from neural stem cells and appear to contain tumor stem cells. The tumors are seen to develop most commonly in the cerebral hemispheres, followed by the thalamus, hypothalamus, and the posterior fossa, but very rarely in the cerebellum. General symptoms include headache, lethargy, seizures, nausea, compression of surrounding brain structures, weakness, neuroendocrine abnormalities, and behavioral changes. The tumors tend to occur most commonly between the fifth and sixth decades of life and are equally common in men and women.
MRI and CAT are the most useful methods for detecting the tumors, although a biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. Supportive treatment makes use of anticonvulsants to manage the seizures, and corticosteroids to reduce the intracranial pressure. Palliative treatment, on the other hand, makes use of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to prolong survival. Prognosis for the condition is very poor. The mean survival length is only eight to ten months after diagnosis. Prospects are slightly better for younger patients and in patients in whom the entire tumor could be surgically removed.
Gliomas have been noticed to occur frequently in association with other genetic disorders, such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome 1, a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutation in the Tumor Protein p53 (TP53) gene on chromosome 17p13. Somatic mutation, disruption, or copy number variation of the following genes or loci may also contribute to the formation of glioma: ERBB (EGFR; Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor), ERBB2, LGI1, GAS41, GLI, DMBT1, IDH1, IDH2, BRAF, PARK2, RB1, PIK3CA, 10p15, 19q, and 17p13.3. In an interesting study, MGMT hypermethylation was found to be associated with long-term survival in affected individuals.